CALAIS, Maine — The superintendent for the school district that includes Calais High School has removed the one-game ban handed down to a Calais student last week.
The student, who has not been named by school officials and who has not accepted requests for comment, drew the ban for running onto the court before the players left the floor after the Jan. 24 boys basketball game in Calais between the Blue Devils and the Jonesport-Beals Royals. Calais won that game 65-62, and the student celebrated by running onto the court and “Tebowing” — taking a prayer stance popularized by Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.
Calais principal Dan Cohnstaedt said Monday there is a longstanding practice at the school that fans stay off the court until after the players leave the floor.
The student appealed the ban to Union 106 Superintendent James Underwood, and Underwood decided on Tuesday to reverse the ban.
“The student appealed the consequence” of running onto the floor to perform Tebow’s stance, he said.
“I have removed his suspension from the game,” said Underwood.
Without the lifting of the one-game ban, the student would have had to miss Tuesday night’s boys basketball game against A.R. Gould of South Portland.
“It’s fairly simple,” said Underwood. “It was an overreaction, an overreaction all around to a pretty innocuous situation.”
Underwood felt the situation needed to be put back into perspective.
“I have spoken to all the parties, and I think everybody agrees it was an overreaction,” said Underwood.
As for the practice of keeping fans off the court until the players leave the floor, Underwood believes it should remain.
“I would like it to remain a common social practice,” he said. “I don’t think it’s something we need to put [into writing].”
Before the superintendent’s decision, a movement had grown among Calais students at the school to appeal the ban. A social networking site was started and it registered more than 200 supporters. The site includes artwork of the prayer stance that Tebow would perform in the end zone or on the sideline at games.
This is not the first incident in the U.S. in which Tebowing conflicted with school practices or policies.
In December, according to media reports, four high school student-athletes in New York were suspended for one day for Tebowing in the hallways, although two of the suspensions later were rescinded.
As for the Calais situation, Underwood said that for all involved, “Life is back to normal.”
i don’t really care either way and not sure why this is news that the kid got suspended in the first place….BUT ( and a big but) to have the superintendent wave this punishment is a HUGE slap in the face to the principal. it’s not like he was suspending the student from school, it was just one basketball game, and for the superindent not to stick with his principal is ridiculous.
That’s the reason for the appeal process. Without checks and balances those in authority can do whatever they please. Do you want the ‘good ole boys’ situation, where those in authority just rubber stamp everything? If the principal used poor judgement, then he should be held accountable. As in most stories, there is likely more to it that has been reported. Maybe someone who saw the incident didn’t like it and got the principal to enforce an obscure, probably ‘unwritten’ rule. The BDN says it was a long standing procedure, but not necessarily something in the student handbook. So, if it was only a procedure, not a rule violation, the principal was out of line and the superintendent did the right thing.
you are correct. the rule is not in the handbook, BUT that “longstanding procedure” of his is completely made up. he just said it to save his rear end from the media. i do not believe i deserved that game suspension because i have tebowed at four games before this one and i have never recieved a warning not to tebow by anybody.
…
You keep right on ‘Tebowing’ young man! You didn’t hurt anyone by doing so. Kudos to you for standing up for what you believe in. Your parents must be proud.
And here I just complemented you for not commenting. You’ve already won. Congratulations, I think you were in the right. But, now, win with grace and keep mum.
The principal already has egg on his face, just smile and bask in it. Anything you say will hurt your cause.
Well here’s a thought: nothing wrong with being a person of faith, but how about lending some dignity to it by not showcasing it?
What’s so “wrong” or “indignant” about expressing one’s faith? I’m not a christian but I see a double-standard being practiced in regards to religious expression in this country; religious freedom is a constitutional right regardless of what religion one holds is and I see no reason why anyone can not publicly express their religion. Perhaps sociopolitical correctness is nothing but open contempt for personal values of a perceived majority? Tebow on young man!
Well Said, if those wish to express their freedom of speech by occupying a park with a tent and a bunch of signs, food, and tin cups looking for handouts then….well…you said it. Couldn’t agree more.
If you feel like you have to go out in front of everybody to show your religiousity, save it. Read what the Bible says about people who make a big show of praising God. There is also the story of the widow’s mite that teaches about humility.
One more thing. Maybe what Mama told me years ago applies: If you have to tell everybody you are a lady, maybe you ain’t.
THANK YOU! That is the whole point we are doing this. And you are right, there is always another side to the story.
I can see your point, and I too think the student and the admin. both overreacted, but for a super to back up a principal just because he/she is a principal is the worst possible outcome.
I believe that part of the problem with governments (including schools and other institutions) is that if one low level bureaucrat makes a mistake, the whole rest of the bureaucracy falls into line. That is so wrong, just so wrong. It would be better for the super to tell the principal how to say “I’m sorry, I made a mistake.” This is what we need more of.
The only reason it’s a “HUGE” slap in the face is because it wasn’t handled internally amongst those involved, but instead was blown out of proportion in a news outlet where commenting has become a sport all on its own.
Otherwise, what’s the point of an appeals process if the initial reaction should never be reconsidered?
They better not ban the next kid that runs out on the court to wave to his parents, or high five the mascot, or do a celebration dance or whatever. Otherwise there’ s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Calm down…
Your going to sue because of this foolishness. get a life!
I wasn’t thinking lawsuit, but have seen instances where the team and community or visiting fans rush the court in celebration. I’ m sorry to think someone may be in trouble for unnecessary celebration. Wait a minute, pro players are fined aren’t they?
the coach ought to bench him anyway
Uh, read the story! The student is NOT A PLAYER…he was a fan in the stands.
Even if he was a player, which he wasn’t, what should the coach bench him for?
WHO CARES!!!!!
You read the article and all the comments thus far, so, YOU!!
Children, children. Behave! You’re not in the Blaine House now.
you commented, so apparently you do. that back fired didnt it?
A whole lot of cities and towns would trade this controversy for their problems. If they can’t or won’t enforce the rule, get rid of it so it doesn’t foster a disrepect for other school policies.
the whole story is not said here. i was there i know what happend what they did was against the student hand book and the first amendment. the student had the right to his religion and there was no harm done by it.
Yes of course, let’s be sure to ignore the school’s long standing practice and overturn the judgment of the principal if it means we get to see a kid’s self-aggrandizing religious statement.
just saying but there was no “traditon” about not going onto the floor and that is why the kid got susspended was because he went on the floor so it wasnt right. or so they say…. but he really did get susspended for tebowing which again goes against the first amendment.
The First Amendment does not give a student the right to violate a rule that is content-neutral. So if there is a rule prohibiting fans from leaving the stands and being on the playing surface, there is no First Amendment violation if the school disciplines a fan who breaks the rule — regardless of whether the rule is broken to pray or simply to walk to the other side of the gym.
This is the same reason the Occupiers cannot violate city ordinances that close parks between certain hours, as long as those ordinances were not crafted to infringe on freedom of speech.
How does one manage to drag the “occupiers” into this? How foolish to even attempt to draw such a correlation. What’s next – it’s the “evil republicans” undermining everyone or the “liberal democrats” are the reason this all occurred – jeesh!
I blame the Communists over on Sesame Street…
The gay Teletubbies had a hand in it too.
How is that foolish? If someone wants to play the 1st amendment card, why not clarify with examples? The correlation seems obvious. The Occupy trespassing issue is a totally relevant current-events example of a similar disagreement about what exactly the 1st amendment protects. Not that I am choosing a side; just defending fair dialogue. Too bad there isn’t more of it here.
It’s a recent example demonstrating how courts weigh free speech against laws that appear to violate free speech but don’t because they are content-neutral.
that “longstanding practice” is a lie to save his rear end from the media
You have any idea how many MILLIONS of times people have “Tebowed” without having a religious thought in their heads?
yes i do but you dont know for sure that this kid did not.
Who cares if did??? lemme guess you’d rather have some idiotic rapper or Anthony Weiner as a role model????? Sheeesh.
As one who doesn’t even believe in God I get tired of defending people that annoy me from ignorant mean spirited people.
uhhh ok…. i was stating a fact you didnt have to get on my case….
Your right, I have no idea. The point is, it doesn’t matter.
Just more wasted paper on the printed version of articles like this one.
it apparently mattered to you because you continue to argue your point, which is being shot down.
cool story bro tell it again…
When I was in High School and going to games, every kid on the court who had a break away lay-up had their tongue stuck out cause they wanted to be “like Mike.” We all adopted our favorite hitters batting stance in baseball. If we suspend athlete’s and fans for emulating their hero’s there won’t be a whole lot of players and fans left.
Exactly, You may not want to hear this ,but my favorite call was, ” It’s DENT over the green monster! YAY , The Crowd goes wild.”
whatever
Haven’t we all been young and spontaneous? Drop it and go on…
Good job… What a waste of time and money this was..
Much a do about nothing. Lighten up.
James Underwood was one of the coolest teachers I ever had.
Oh, and this isn’t news.
As long as there are tests in school….there will always be prayer
just saying but i do agree this isnt braking news but the punishment was wrong.
obv. the people who are commenting care people so pelease stop commenting “who cares” if your dont
When banning a kid from ONE WHOLE GAME (oooh…perish the thought) is an ‘over-reaction’ then public schools are more lily livered and gutless than even I thought. So just how many fans can rush the court before the players are gone and just what can they do when they get there to have them banned from ONE WHOLE GAME as a punishment.
why is this news?
The student should have been expelled from school and prevented from ever setting foot in or near the bldg. forever. It’s hard to imagine a more serious crime. No wonder Communism triumphs in the White House.
I suspect the change is the punishment could be more to do with the growing unrest that was disproportionate to the issue. It reminds me of the issue that they had in Waldoboro with the I “heart” Boobies bracelets. They went away faster when the administration didn’t make a big deal out of it. So was the large website and potential protest easier to deal with by re-thinking the ban, and then subsequently making plans for just what the protocol is to be? I don’t think the article sounds like the superintendent usurped the principal’s authority, but that they all came to an agreement that it was a little over-reactive.
The thing that gets me is why is this even in the newspaper in the first place?????
HAY BDN………..This is worth space in your newspaper……….why?……really? Is there a story here? Sorry I missed it.
Why do you always complain
And I think you are right, I will try and do better…………….thank you.
The kid should be kicked out of school and shunned by society for “Tebowing” in Pats country!!
So I take it anyone else who does this will have no consequences either ? It all depends on who u r, doesn’t matter which school it is ….
I can think of 100 other ways kids can get in trouble far worse then Tebowing. I’ll take the lesser of the evils.
In 1971 or there about I remember an hour student getting kicked out of school because his hair covered about a 1/3 of the top of his ear. I still laugh about that because the people complaining were the ones who horrified their parents, boys by rolling up the cuff of their jeans up , rolling a cigarette pack up in the sleeve of their teeshirts, rather they smoked or not. Girls were big full skirts with poodles on them and rolled their knee high socks down.
A couple thoughts:
1. This was obviously an overreaction and mistake on the principal’s part.
2. The kid sounds pretty level headed about it all, and I respect that he refrained from commenting to the media. He knew this wasn’t a big deal and chose not to make a deal of it when he could have.
3. I’m surprised the superintendent overturned the decision. Although I think this was right, I think it poses some functional/authority problems for the principal. He brought them on himself.
Get ready for some ACLU supporter to run on the court and stomp an American flag to the ground just to prove a point.
baccolicious, since you don’t mind defending yourself and you confirm who you are?
Nice to see common sence prevail
I found the most interesting part of the story was that a team from South Portland was travelling to Calais to play a basketball game.
This kid did nothing wrong i love how people are aguing about a kid who obviously loves basketball and did a simple jester praising his bball team. If this was my kid i would of told the principal to shove there “procedure right up his A##”. Amazing what schools punish kids these days for… The principal needs to realize its not 1940 anymore and he should probably step down as principle. I bet hes been there for 90 years and has nothing better too do then twiddle his thumbs. KEEP TEBOWING KIDD keep up the great work.
Half the problems with kids in this country stem from parents like you. Please stop procreating long enough to learn how to spell.
Bud i make in a week then you make in two months and my kid is well raised and gets straight A’s tell me again I’m a bad parent? I bet you’re the principals best friend…. You need a reality check and realize this kid did nothing wrong…. There has to be a rule in writing in order to punish a student why do you think the superindent over ruled the principal… because there was no rule broken… wake up its 2012
I just hope this isn’t another case of “the game comes first”. Too often athletes receive wider allowances on their behavior than others because otherwise they would miss a game and that could be “bad” for the team. Just hope this wasn’t another one of those.
so common-sense is alive in Maine,barely..Well done to the Supt.
Tebow, elbow……who cares.
Hey everyone – I’m pretty sure God has more important things to worry about than sports.
I’m not the most church-going guy, but was definitely raised christian and I am constantly amazed by the gall that people continually show praying for a sports game.
This while soldiers are dying in the middle east, people right here in the USA are starving, homeless, addicted, lonely, etc. Not to mention the millions around the globe who are killed, abused, or go hungry on a daily basis.
I for one believe there is a special place in hell for those who are so self-centered that they think that teh outcome of their little entertainment diversion is worthy of God’s attention!
Speaking of Tebow, did you hear the one about God bringing Aaron Rodgers, Tim Tebow and Tom brady to Heaven to find out what they believed in? God first asks Aaron rodgers what he believes and Aaron says “I believe in working hard and being a good team mate and a good citizen and helping out those who need it. God was very moved and said to Aaron take the seat on my left. Then God asks Tim Tebow what he believes and tim says ” I believe in helping my fellow man and putting my neighbors needs ahead of my own, I believe in living a good Christian life and serving You God”. Well God was very moved and said to Tebow please take the seat at My right. Then God asked Tom Brady what he believed. Tom brady replied “I believe your in my seat”
sounds like tom brady lmao
To be fair, Calais principal, Dan Cohnstadt, is a great guy and usually very fair. I am sure he felt that he had a good reason for that suspension, or I doubt he would have done it. As a Calais parent, he does not strike me as one who is prone to knee-jerk reactions. Mr. Underwood is equally as fair as superintendent and he had to consider the reaction that was broiling after the fact as well as the suspension itself. A large part of the student body was offended by the suspension because it saw it as curtailing religious freedom. I am proud of the student body that stood up for what they saw as a Constitutional issue! In essence, everybody here was right. Mr. Cohnstadt tried to defend a long standing tradition, Mr Underwood did his best to defuse a volatile atmosphere, and the students defended their (our) freedoms under the Constitution. Seems like a win-win all the way around.
The sad thing here is that this kid draws all this attention when the real problem is how over-seriously some of these fans take this game. “A lot of taunting and swearing on both sides.” I’ve been at many of these games and frankly find some of the fans’ behavior embarrassing. When such an example is set, it’s no surprise that kids have no respect for authority, education, or others.