The chances Eldorado School Board members were going to please everyone Tuesday night were minimal. They were either going to send a message and please other communities’ fans and families or they were going to make Eldorado fans and their own constituents happy. They chose to face the music in front of about 150 mostly locals who came out to see what the fallout would be from an egregious foul that happened during the Eldorado Holiday Tournament less than a week ago. Those locals turned raucous and hostile as the school board voted to dismiss the entire Eldorado High School boys basketball coaching staff with pay and grew even more vociferous once Rod Wallace was named as the interim coach.
After the clamors died down, the floor was given to a handful of locals who voiced their opinion, many in cadence with the crowd, some shouting obscenities. The crowd also made sure school board members knew the next election was coming up in September and many called the firings a personal agenda or vendetta.
Greg Goodley was the first to speak; he called it a sad night for Eldorado.
Goodley went on to say the school board had a chance to back up the coach and students and with their decision, they failed them. He asked, “why are we making decisions based on outside noise?” and stated “other towns are going to like us because we’re going to lose”.
Mark Goldman was up next and said while what happened was wrong, the punishment wasn’t befitting.
From there, things devolved and while some points were made, decorum was lost and comments turned to “cleaning out the closets” of school board members, blaming officials, and making comments that interim skipper Rod Wallace wasn’t fit to coach.
The school board adjourned without any fanfare as some members simply stood up to exit as members of the crowd raced forward saying they wanted to be heard. No altercations broke out; there were at least 8 law enforcement officials present for the meeting.
We won’t know what the ramifications will be for the student athlete from Eldorado as he’s a minor. Carmi – White County is set to face Eldorado at Duff – Kingston on Friday night. At this stage, it’s unknown whether Eldorado will even field a team given the reaction Tuesday night.
The IHSA has yet to weigh in, nor has the Southern Illinois Egyptian Officials Association.
Updated: A previous version of the story listed the Southern Illinois Basketball Official Association as the organization over officiating at the EHT. WROY/WRUL regrets the error.
Dave
January 3, 2024 at 3:08 amThis article seems to me like the locals think they can only win by playing this type of ball. Good sportsmanship’s should be taught to all players.
Terry Abell
January 3, 2024 at 3:23 amThis is long overdue that the Eldorado School Board address the conduct of their athletes and coaches. I graduated in 1977 and the conduct of Eldorado was bad then with their coaches encouraging it. Very unsportsmanlike from coaches, players and fans. Just look at what happened at this meeting, need I say more. Don’t you think there’s enough fighting and hatred in this world. Come on people what is this teaching the children. Grow up!!!
Cindy
January 4, 2024 at 9:19 amAmen
Dean
January 3, 2024 at 10:57 amNot long ago the football coach started a fight during the game and now this. IHSA needs to suspend ALL sports for at least a year. This is a disgrace to all sports.
Jen
January 3, 2024 at 11:31 amSO glad that my spouse never even considered applying for an opening within the Eldorado district a few years back. IMAGINE working tirelessly for a community that encourages violence and destruction over skill and talent. Trash.
Zack Vanderveer
January 3, 2024 at 11:41 amHave to wonder if those Eldorado folks would be okay with one of their kids being sent to the ER due to the actions of another team’s players. Sad commentary on the mindset of people in Eldorado. Everyone who has followed southern Illinois sports has known for years that Eldorado coaches encourage unsportsmanlike behavior. Apparently they were taught that by their coaches AND parents.
Blondie
January 3, 2024 at 12:54 pmThe reaction shows that the board took the appropriate action. Hopefully they same will happen to the referees who allowed it. It is a shame if there were coaches that were not involved but this appears to be an ongoing issue of longstanding.
Just me
January 3, 2024 at 7:22 pmIHSA basketball a**ociation didn’t give the board any other alternative. The board members were doing what they were told to do and I don’t think it will stop with just the coaching staff, the officials are also being investigated, they should never be allowed to call their hometown team. This isn’t the first incident that Eldorado has been aggressive on the court, the coach was fist b**ping the student who elbowed the other team player. The coach has been encouraging this behavior for a long time now. Sad that it took a kid to get injured but it was bound to happen sooner or later. Poor sportsmanship , not taught to love the game, only taught to win and didn’t matter how or who got hurt just as long as they won.
Resident
January 4, 2024 at 6:13 amI think they should have disqualified the team from the tournament and the rest of the season. To send the message that way. Every season they do it they are done for the remainder. Not just in basket the other sports too.
Resident of Eldorado
January 4, 2024 at 12:43 pmThe bullying and intimidation that was shown by many in the crowd during the board meeting is just an example of the type of behavior that should no longer be tolerated. Eldorado should be better than this. I am embarrassed to say I am from Eldorado.
Peggy
January 4, 2024 at 4:23 pmI am happy something has finally been done. Save the Children! This has gone on for decades. Hopefully the Mafia of EHS Athletics has been destroyed. Save the Children!
Angelia Price
January 5, 2024 at 10:21 amAs a 1977 graduate of Eldorado I am embarrassed that this situation has become an issue.