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Since Friday, Jan. 13, the previous girls’ swim coach of three years, David Gong, has been reassigned to the boys’ swim team. Many questions and rumors have been in the minds of the swimmers, staff, parents, and many other people associated with Granite Hills due to this “switch.”

Controversy erupted on the following Friday, Jan. 20, when over 200 students “walked-out” of first period, in protest against Gong’s coaching switch and concession discrimination.

Principal Jeff Bottoms was asked if the protest would change the decision made about Gong’s coaching switch He responded, “We made the decision to better the swim program and its entirety. We felt it was a good decision in the first place, so we won’t change it now.”

Yet the players of the team feel completely different. Many of the girls were at the actual protest, standing up for Coach David Gong, in hopes of returning him to the girls’ team.

Madison Stubbs, a sophomore who swam last year for Granite and has been involved in David’s P-Town summer Aquatic program, said,” [David’s coaching] is not over. Honestly I’m not giving up hope!”

Despite Athletic Director Gary Stoddard and Principal Jeff Bottoms’ attempts to “enhance” the schools’ swim teams and athletic reputation, this particular switch seems to be counterproductive. Swimmers such as Isabel Ayala, Maria Corona, Yareli Robledo, Janelle Castillo, Rachel Lamb, Madison Stubbs, Sierra Lopez, Carina Felix, and Adriana Felix have all pledged “no” to swimming under the hand of the new girls’ swim coach, Mike Chapman. Much of the swim team that the administrators were trying to “enhance,” is now obsolete.

When asked if she would participate, sophomore and P-town Aquatics participant Rachel Lamb said, “I’m not going to participate unless Gong is coaching. He taught me everything I know. I will only swim for him.”

Athletic Director Stoddard sent in an email to Gong that same Friday saying, “I hope you can accept this challenge [with the boys’ team] with the same excitement and determination you have shown with the girls.”

Stoddard also says that he hopes David will continue to mentor the girls through this transition, since they will all still be at the same place practicing.

Unfortunately, Gong may not get that opportunity with the decreasing number of female swimmers.

On the other hand, David Gong feels there was an ulterior motive behind the coaching switch. Gong said he confronted Stoddard that same Friday with the “concession discrimination,” therefore resulting in a rash decision on the administration’s part to witch him to the boys’ team.

David Gong said he threatened to go to the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) because of the discrimination, and that Stoddard asked him to wait until the following Tuesday, since it was a three day weekend. Gong was under the impression that his coaching decision, too, would be reviewed in that time. Gong received an email later that same Friday from Stoddard saying that it had been decided and he would be coaching the boys. David talked to the ACLU that night, and did not wait.

Stoddard confirmed they met that Friday, but only to discuss Gong’s possible coaching switch. Stoddard denies the claim that he asked David to wait until the following Tuesday to meet with the ACLU.

When asked how he felt about not being coach, Gong responded, “I’ve spent the last 3 years with the girls. I’ve had the fastest growing team of any sport in the city. These girls coach for me at both aquatic academies (underprivileged and special needs) and they work at Helping Hands all year round. I check their grades, buy their swim gear, and even take food to many of their families. They obviously know I care about them as people, not just athletes. They trust me enough to come to me with personal problems… at times, before going to their own families. “

Gong concluded with, “They’re like little sisters. No one wants to have their family torn apart… I’m no different!”

Adriana Felix, the senior who put the protest together, said,” I’m not going to swim. It’s kind of disappointing because it’s my senior year and I was looking forward to swimming. I was going to be the only senior with the most experience. I’m not mad, just disappointed.”

Although some supporters feel that David Gong should be returned to the girls swim team, Granite Hills administration has decided not to make any changes to their intial decision.

Follow Jody Georgianna on Twitter @Jodygeorgianna

Related articles:

Granite Hills takes a stand

Breaking news: "Occupy" Granite Hills

Watch for Jody's updated report on the related concessions issue on Wednesday Feb. 8.

Comments  

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0 #17 Juan Diaz 2012-02-07 22:59

I think that the walk out was good and that we have a right to stand for what we think I right, but stand up if you know what you are standing up for, some people used that just so that they can get out of class.

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0 #16 jereniss alcantar 2012-02-07 22:49

It’s true, there are many rumors going around as to why Coach Gong got switched. There is really nothing that we, as students, can do about it. We tried to and though many people went to that protest, only half of them knew why they were even there. It’s sad to say that we never really will know the true reasons behind the rearranging of swim coaches, but that’s because we don’t know what actually happens behind closed doors. The one thing I know for sure is that if you love the sport you’re in, you wouldn’t stop doing or playing that sport because of the coach. It’s nice to have a good coach, but things happen and you have to learn how to adapt as best you can.

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-1 #15 lupita.b. 2012-02-07 22:47

The protest was a great and I think it’s great what everyone there was trying to do for Gong. I think it was for a great cause and hopefully the administration will change their minds on the switch.

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+2 #14 Jasmin 2012-02-01 22:15

What is the real reason David Gong was fired?

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+2 #13 Antonio 2012-02-01 22:15

I think that the administration should think more about switching him. One reason is because if the girls polo team is doing good with that coach they should not change that. Also less girls might not join the team this year.

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+1 #12 Marissa Baldwin 2012-02-01 22:14

I really don't quite get or understand why David Gong was switched to the boy's swim team, but I see why these girls are upset by judging from what the girls said David Gong seems to be a great swim coach. Even if he did get switch i'm sure he will still be an awesome swim coach best of luck for you girl's.

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+2 #11 Marcus Lorenzo 2012-02-01 22:13

Quoting ashton lambert:

I'n my opinion, the administration should think about how many girls will not swim this year. Gong, from what iv'e heard,has done really well on the girls team, and the administration should not risk throwing that all away.

I disagree Ashton. Maybe Gong wants to be with the boys swim team and with him, our boys would be very, very good(from a current swimmer).

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+1 #10 Donna Serna 2012-02-01 22:10

It doesn't make any sense to me that they made the switch. I find it kind of disappointing even though i didn't really know him.

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+2 #9 Alisia Diaz 2012-02-01 22:10

I agree with Yareli Robledo. They should have kept Gong Coaching for the girls swimming team because now there are some girls that really wanted to swim but their not going to be as comfortable with the new coach as they were with Gong.

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+2 #8 ashton lambert 2012-02-01 22:02

I'n my opinion, the administration should think about how many girls will not swim this year. Gong, from what iv'e heard,has done really well on the girls team, and the administration should not risk throwing that all away.

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