BANGOR, Maine — A resident on Falvey Street called police earlier this month to report a running car in the middle of the roadway with a woman asleep inside, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards said Tuesday.
Kori Dionne, 31, of Glenburn, the varsity girls soccer and basketball coach for Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, was behind the wheel, the sergeant said.
“She was belted in and the vehicle was running and she was slumped over to one side,” Edwards said.
Officer John Robinson, who arrived on the scene about 10 p.m. June 8, found the car sideways in the middle of the road and knocked on the window several times before getting a response from Dionne.
She was given a field sobriety test and then taken to the police station for an Intoxilyzer test.
Edwards would not release Dionne’s blood alcohol level, but did say the Intoxilyzer test results exceeded the state’s legal limit of 0.08.
Dionne was arrested for operating under the influence of intoxicants and taken to Penobscot County Jail. She later was released, Edwards said.
Dionne, a former point guard for Bangor High and a 1999 graduate of the school, took over as coach of the Nokomis Warriors girls basketball team in 2007 and became the girls soccer coach in 2008.
Regional School Unit 19 Superintendent William P. Braun was out of the office on Tuesday. Outgoing Athletic Director Jason Tardy said there is no hard-and-fast rule when dealing with coaches who break the law.
“Each school handles it a little bit differently,” he said.
School board Chairman Dan Costain said Tuesday that the board has not met since Dionne was charged and would not take any action until the matter has been resolved in court.
“No action has been taken,” he said.
Dionne has led the girls basketball team to the Eastern Maine Class B championship game three years in a row, this year with an undefeated team that lost to Presque Isle in the finale.
She has a career record of 70-32 as the basketball coach, including 56-9 the last three years in Class B after two seasons in Class A.
Dionne has a career record of 26-28-3 in four seasons as the girls soccer coach, including 24-16-3 since the Warriors moved from Class A to Class B in 2009.
As a player at Bangor, Dionne was on the Rams’ team that advanced to the 1999 Eastern Maine Class A final, and she was a Penobscot Valley Conference softball all-star and Maine Softball Coaches Association all-star.
Edwards would not release Dionne’s blood alcohol level, but did say the Intoxilyzer test results exceeded the state’s legal limit of 0.08.
That high huh? I mean if this was an average Jane, there would be no problem giving out them details.
NEA/MEA rules state that all teacher’s union members are to be treated differently than commoners.
Really? What rules are those? Please post a link.
Why the attack on teachers? How is she being treated any differently than anyone else?
is she a teacher or just a coach? NEA/MEA doesn’t cover coaches.
she’s a physical education teacher in the district
That high huh? If this was an average Jane there wouldn’t be an article about it. An average person doesn’t have their stuff blown up in the news.
Jobless Jane? Homeless Jane?
You can be charged with OUI in Maine if you are in your car, with the car off, but if the keys happen to be in the ignition- that’s an OUI…..that’s kinda like being accused of being drunk with an unopened bottle of wine and a corkscrew sitting beside you…..
Thats pretty irrelevent since she was passed out behind the wheel with the car runing in the middle of the street….deniability might be a problem in this case. LOL.
She has been honest and up front from the beginning. She is willing to take whatever punishment comes her way. She made a mistake like EVERYONE does, a mistake is a mistake…
And mistakes, have consequences. It’s not up to you or I what those will be.
a mistake is forgetting to let the dog out not endangering every single person she passed by prior to passing out. Just saying.
You seem to know her pretty well. Are you a coach, girl on the team, or Administrator ???
You can be arrested for attempted OUI in the State of Maine by just putting your keys in the door of your car, and it carries the same penalities, (same charge)
There is no “attempted OUI”. And before you argue look it up in Maine Statute 29-A
The lesson here is quite clear. Always buy a car with keyless entry.
All of the adults involved with Ms. Dionne’s future with program will make the best decision that they can. I think the bigger issue will be with her players. Will they respect and respond to her in a manner that will create a positive experience for them-regardless of wins and losses. If she retains her post- perhaps this could be a “teachable moment” for her squad.
Her squad?? Really?? this isn’t the Army where life and death is led by example. It is a former high school player teaching high school kids…get a clue
If I’m not mistaken, isn’t squad anothet term used for team? At least it was in my day it was. Look it up on Websters.com Get a clue as you say.
She 100% will use this to teach others what mistakes like this can do…and she 100% DOES HAVE A SQUAD!
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My comment was very positive..shes creating jobs for Maine!!
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The cop states she was found behind the wheel, car running, in the middle of the street, and blew over .08. OK…Right after that, Ive read your past comments on other issues and have absolutely no interest in engaging you in conversation. Thanks.
(You sound familiar…. new name…..?)
In the United States, we have what is called the presumption of innocence.
…
what do you mean suspicion????she was found in a running car.. level was ove the limit …how can that be suspicion ??????
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why not. you condem the poor homeless drunks don’t you?
…..
hahaha. Thanks!
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but accidentily putting a questionable photo on facebook makes u lose your job. ;)
One bad decision should not disqualify this woman from continuing as a coach. I am sure the holier then thou crowd will call for her head on a platter.
Not me. I believe is everyone entitled to make mistakes. She did this on her time and it should be up to her and the courts and no one else!
I will be honest with you it seems the holier than now people know forgiveness is important. she deserves another chance
Maybe so, but most holier then thou people I have known see forgivness only on their terms.
We should never enable dysfunctional behavior . This is not an issue of holier than thou, it’s an issue of she could have killed someone.
Would be sending the wrong message to the student athletes that she mentors. If she had killed someone would you feel the same way? Fortunately she did not. Letting her off will only send the wrong message to the kids. She needs to go.
Nowhere does my post say let her off. My point is that this mistake should not be used to remove her from coaching.
She was NOT even driving…she was pulled off the road. She knew she could not drive and tried to pull over. She made a mistake…doesn’t everyone?
how do you know she tried to pull over…article said she was in the middle of the street?
just asking.
Did you read the article, she was in the middle of the road! It may have been a mistake, it may have been a bad decision, or it may have been a habit of hers to drive drunk, regardless there are ramifications to all of the above, she is not entitled to a second chance only a fair trial.
She may have made a “mistake” the problem is people are making excuses for her and defending her behavior. She might be a nice lady but her behavior is unacceptable. Her “mistake” luckily didn’t hurt or kill anyone including herself. She choose to drive drunk , then she passed out in the middle of the road . She needs to do the right thing and step down from her coaching positions. She also needs to go to court accept her punishment , apologize to the judge for her behavior, she needs to lose her license for a period of time and also get help for her issues with alcohol. Because its obvious she needs some help for her issues with booze. She is no position to at this to coach kids because she is not a good leader and role model that coaches are. She needs to do the right thing if not the RSU school board and superintedent should fire from her coaching positions.
She made a mistake and is taking full responsibility for her mistake…she learned a lesson, for that matter she was pulled off the road to the best of her ability asleep, she knew she was not able to drive. Give her some credit, she is an amazing lady and is paying for her mistake in more than one way~
She might be an amazing lady but it doesn’t give her any excuse for what she did. She could have harmed alot of people including herself, she could have also hit parked cars and done damage to people’s property. The fact is she is supposed to be in a position of leadership, authority and a role model as a High School head coach , though she has dropped the ball with her unexcusable behavior. It’s time for her to do the right thing and resign from her coaching positions. Accept her punishment, get help and also teach kids about issues of drinking and driving. She could gain alot of respect from people if she went that route. But to say she needs to have a second chance and keep her job is not right. The kids who she is coaching deserve better right now.
As long as her teams are winning leave her alone
I strongly disagree her behavior crossed the line and could have hurt and killed people including her. Her behavior is grounds for her being terminated as coach no excuses period. Who cares about her teams winning ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!. People could have been hurt , killed, cars and people’s property could have been damaged. People need to stop defending her and stop making excuses for her behavior. She is not a role model and an authority figure as High School Sports Coaches are supposed to be. She needs to accept whatever punishment she gets if its jail time, losing her drivers license for a period of time, losing going and getting help then so be it. She is no better than anyone else I don’t care if she is a beauty queen or a politician she deserves no special treatment. The fact instead of calling for a taxi and getting someone to drive her car home for her she had the nerve to drive drunk on Maine’s roads causing danger to her and everyone on the road is why she gets no sympathy from any of us on here. It’s time for her to get what punishment is given to her and if it means her being fired as coach so be it. No excuses for what she did.
Bwahahahahah….
You keep saying she needs help like she has a problem? You have no clue what you are talking about. Small minds like yours should not get to speak out in public. Dont sit there and tell me you’ve never broken the speed limit because that is putting someones life in danger on Maine roads. Next time you go over the speed limit you should get a punishment. No excuses.
if it was a child at the school they would make them go through drug abuse consuling (sp) and
suspend them from school …this is a fact as I wason the schoolboard
you’re on the school board and you cant spell? perfect choice… and maybe your school system but not where i went to school or many other schools that i have heard about because i am in the school system as well.
my spelling may not be perfect but neither is your writing. capital I’s . I know for a fact that this happened with students, as I was involed in a way. And it was in the same system as she coaches and teaches.
Anyone who is drinking alcohol/booze. Then is driving drunk and ends up passing out in the middle of the road with the car running has a problem. I am sorry I don’t know what reality your living in but this woman has to get help badly. The next time she does it she might not be lucky. She will end up hurting someone very badly, hurting herself, or end up killing that person or herself. Just because folks don’t want her losing her coaching jobs. If she loses her coaching jobs from the backlash from this well its her own fault. The People need to stop defending Ms. Dionne’s pathetic actions. Just because she is a nice good looking lady doesn’t excuse herself from doing what she did. She should have thought of what could happen and the fallout from it. When Ms. Dionne went out partying having a good time getting waisted on alcohol and putting the keys into the switch and driving down the road. The fact is she needs jail time , losing her license, losing her coaching jobs, getting help from AA and other Alcohol Counseling groups. Then have this lady go to schools and talk about why its wrong to do what she did . Maybe after a 1 or 2 when she earns the respect of folks and has stipulations tied to her not to have any alcohol then maybe she can return to coach. But she needs to get the book thrown at her she is no better than anyone else. She needs no special treatment.
You obviously have no idea what you are talking about and you really shouldn’t believe everything you read in the newspaper… Seems to me there are other factors playing into your hatred towards her besides just this article. Time to grow up a bit don’t you think?
How is she paying for her mistake? By hiding? How do YOU know she learned her lesson? This isn’t her first time driving drunk. She’s lucky she didn’t kill someone. What if one of your children had been outside walking along Falvy Street? Would you feel the same way if she killed one of them?
How is she hiding and how do YOU know this isnt her first tme driving drunk. First of all it wasnt even on Falvey street so stop talking about things you dont know anything about. She learned. I see her every day pay for it and learn from it. Dont act like you know something about her because clearly you dont.
I’m sure she is held just as responsible to her contract as a coach to set a good example the same way they hold teen athletes responsible for not drinking/doing drugs. She should not receive special treatment, just as a student who breaks the rules should be kicked off the team or suspended for a season–but we know how sacred sports are in schools, especially if they do well, and the right thing doesn’t always happen. Which is why we continue to hear about it.
what a great way to put it…so very true
So you think she is a good example for the kids? They will all know about this if they do not already. So you think letting a person who has been arrested for DUI and from the report she must have been far gone is a good example for the children. I say you get the one chance she should have known better.
This was not a MISTAKE! She got DRUNK on purpose then she CHOSE to drive a car while DRUNK. She endangered not only herself but EVERY person on the road. There is NEVER a excuse for drunk driving. I have picked up far far to many wrecks involving drunks and they never seem to get hurt but I sure have seem them hurt and kill more then one innocent driver. The first time you you see a dead person or two in a car and a drunk standing there in cuffs oblivious to the world with hardly a scratch the truth of it becomes very clear.
It’s a little bit sickening to see how many defend her choice to intentionally drink and drive and make excuses for her. Maybe something you said here will sink in to a few who think this was simply a mistake. It wasn’t a mistake. She did it on purpose.
Don’t be a Debbie downer
yes
Then you have some awful priorities then if you think this woman should be coaching and leading a group of kids at this time. Because I think you would find alot of parents in the Newport area RSU would object to having her coach the kids after reading this. This woman has shown a lack of character , no morals and ethics, her behavior went over the line. Most Athletic Directors at Maine High Schools would have terminated her on the spot. Which I think will eventually happen here. Either the School Board & Superintendent will do it or the Athletic Director will ask for her to resign if not then he will do it himself.
While it’s not my decision, the lesson that everyone should learn from this is that a bad decision has consequences. If in this case, it is her job, then so be it.
I recall making a bad decision in my youth that had me in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people and it followed me for years. Such is life and it’s not our place to judge this young lady either way.
I only pray that she learns from this bad decision.
“One bad decision”, you have got to be kidding . This most likely was the first time she was caught. Looks like the Kori Dionne fan club just wants to look the other way. She obviously has an issue with alcohol, she needs to seek help, stay away the stuff and focus on doing what she does best.
Dear editors: She was arrested ON SUSPICION of operating a vehicle while under the influence. The court will decide whether she was actually operating a vehicle while under the influence.
omg really
suspicion Huh drunk , car running, in the middle of the road, and no one else in the car. SUSPICION ?????
“SUSPICION ????? ”
Yup…presumption of innocence. The DA has to prove she was drunk….they have to prove the Intoxilyzer was properly calibrated before the exam…they have to prove it was a certified operator that administered the exam…or, she could plead guilty and take her lumps like everyone else.
The court will do no such thing.
Really? Who or what adjudicates criminal cases in the U.S.?
Its a pretty good suspicion since a cop had to bang on her window to wake her from the middle of the intersection to wake her up from her drunken stupor. Im amazed by the people rushing to her side to excuse her…a mentor for kids, for driving drunk. BYE COACH!!!
I hope they give her another chance. All of us in our life has made mistakes and thank God we were given more than one opportunity to overcome our faults in life
She will have a second chance IN JAIL
1st offense with no aggravating factors – 90 day license suspension, no jail time and $400.00 fine
1st offense w/aggravating factors* – 90 day license suspension, 48 hours of jail time and $400.00 fine.
*Aggravating factors include a BAC of .15 percent or more (maybe in this case), or traveling 30 m.p.h. or more over the speed limit (she was parked in the road), or attempting to elude an officer of the law (she was parked in the road), or having a passenger under 21 years of age (no mention of any passenger in the care with her).
Source – http://maine.gov/dps/bhs/impaired-driving/laws.html
Jail…this is her first mistake she has ever made. Glad you jump to conclusions. Oh and I’m sure you’ve never made a mistake?
Too many asses in this state do not know how to drive…
Subject: [bdn] Re: Nokomis coach arrested for OUI after being found slumped over in running car, police say
Doesn’t matter its the law. She is lucky that she may be getting that punishment and losing her coaching positions. The fact is she could have killed someone then what is the excuse going to be. Stop making excuses for her she is no better than anyone else. So she is nice lady so what.
It doesn’t matter if she is a nice lady, has good looks , can coach high school kids etc.. The sympathy excuse is out the window. I have no symapthy for her at all. Her behavior crossed the line. She needs to get the acceptable punishment for her behavior, do her punishment , get help going to AA meeting and get counseling for the alcohol. But to keep defending it and wanting a second chance she doesn’t deserve it till she gets the proper help and stops coaching kids for the time being.
Wow, what a wonderful role model for high school kids – NOT!
Princess Amy….Have you never made a bad decision? I certainly have. She wasn’t on a bus on the way home from a game. She wasn’t found with 4 of her players with her. This is her personal life. Let the courts handle it! That will be punnishment enough.
if this was a cop or a politician would you say the same thing?
Yes, I certainly would.
ok…if you say so.
Your personal life often is highly public when you hold a position like she does. It comes with the territory. Don’t like it, don’t take the job. Be a role model for these teens-not a warning.
Tammy, the difference is that most people who work in highly visible jobs realize there is no separation between work and private life. If you accept a job like that, you realize no matter where you are in public, you are viewed as a representative of your organization.
I feel for the coach, but I feel more for the people t hat have to decide what’s best for the kids. She put them in a bad spot by forcing this decision on them. Having said that, its the girls on her team that must feel the most pain. I can see that by the posts here, and it breaks my heart.
They probably drink more than she does!
Did you read the part where she was PULLED OVER ASLEEP??? She knew she could not drive and WASNT.
we all the read article, apparently not the same one as you. the article I read said that she was STOPPED SIDEWAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, NOT PULLED OVER. She wasn’t asleep, it’s called ‘I drank so much I passed out’.
big difference between asleep and passed out…i love your loyalty though.
Good example for the kids isn’t it. Think before you drink.
give her another chance ????? what if she hit someone getting to where she was ??? or caused an accident killing someone..good example for the children in her charge..she needs to be suspened without pay..than after her day in court fired..set an example for the children that she coaches
But the things you rant about did not happen. You must be perfect to deny someone another chance.
Your right
have you ever made a mistake in your life? if you say no then you’re lying because everyone makes them and that’s how people learn. she is obviously paying for it everyday and will continue to pay for it when her court date comes. in no way am i saying what she did wasn’t wrong. of course it is wrong. nothing happened and that’s why people deserve second chances to learn that what happened could of been worse and that you don’t make the same mistake twice.
but I don”t coach or mentor impressionable children, which will read the paper, and think if she can so can I…but” Mom coach did it”, an got away
And did she keep this a secret to take it to the administrator when it happend…she knows she messed up and will live with her mistake for the rest of her life~
If you made any sense I might actually be able to respond…
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or maybe not getting caught before this?
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That may be but driving drunk then passing out in the middle of the road is unacceptable behavior. The fact is she could have endangered people’s lives including hers, damaged people’s property as well. The fact she needs to accept what she did get the proper punishment jail time, losing her license and get some serious help. She needs to do the right thing and step down from her coaching jobs or be prepared to be fired from them if she refuses. The only damage she is doing is to herself for her actions. I have no sympathy for people who drive drunk have seen it personally myself what alcohol does to other people (other family members) its sad. But to continue to make excuses for her just makes what she did acceptable. We need to stop feeling sorry for folks.
She didn’t
Even the wife beating game warden was suspended with pay.
And did you read she was NOT driving, she was pulled over asleep. She knew she could not drive and pulled off the road. So you’ve never made a mistake?
I feel your compassion, and think you are 100% sweetheart. but please read the article. she was in a running car, that was not parked, but idling in the “middle of the roadway”.
she probably is a very nice person and has proven herself as a very good coach, but pulling across the road and passing out shows she was obviously VERY impaired and not just being responsible and deciding she shouldn’t be driving. She never should have gotten behind the wheel and risked her life and others. She made a bad decision. Not a mistake. That being said, does she deserve to be written off for life as a bad person? No…I don’t think so. But what kind of example will she be viewed as for young students? Its just a tough and sad situation all the way around. As a result of one bad decision. Very sad.
she was in the road not pulled over …didn’t you read
Bangor sports creating leaders and role models, thats what I hear tell anyways…
She was not NOT not operating, she had a couple and was double parked, give me a break, the US and Maine are becoming a Police State, damn near Marshal Law
LOL!! Yes, double parked in the middle of the road….and sideways to boot…..that defense works…..
Double parked? You’re lost.
I think you mean “martial” but I knew what you meant.
gordon, who did her car come to be “found….sideways in the middle of the road”?
How did she get there? From where did she drive?
One job opening will be available shortly in Maine.
Doubt it!
There are many people who have made mistakes and deserve another chance, including myself, but there are also punishments for said mistakes. She is a role model coaching high school girls in two sports. I feel that if she is convicted or pleads guilty that she should be fired from her coaching positions and she can try to get another coaching job some place else. Another school hiring her would be a second chance and she would receive her punishment from the school. Her reputation at Nokomis High School is forever tarnished.
seems as if Iremember another coach from Nokomis who was caught for the same reason a few years ago
So, I guess that anyone who is taken in for OUI should not be considered as breaking the law? She is also supposed to be a role model for her players–
Arrested June 8th today is June 26th.
I believe June 8 was last day for students in that district….was there a celebration somewhere?
It wasn’t the last day but good try. Stop making assumptions and get your facts straight. Maybe some of the other people on here should take that advice as well.
The only real issue is whether she is a registered voter and, if so, he party registration, if any. What else matters these days?
There will be a position opening soon at Nokomis. Thank you Coach D. for all your time and efforts in building a successful program at Nokomis.
I wonder if everyone missed the article about the Yarmouth HS baseball and boys lacrosse 2012 Maine State Championship team and the alcohol filled party the evening of the Championship game. Posters were saying “oh leave them alone…it was not during the school year”…”it was just alcohol”…”they didn’t hurt anyone”…”everyone does it”.
When it was suggested that the MPA strip the State Championship title it was…”oh you can’t do that”…”the MPA doesn’t have the authority”…etc…
When it was suggested that the school do something it was…”it was outside of school they cannot do anything”…”it was after the school year ended, the cannot do anything”…etc…
So, let’s teach the students that there is double standard when it comes to alcohol. If you are a minor it’s “everyone does it…don’t worry about it”. For the adult it’s “fire them…put them in jail…etc…”
Unbelievable!
The teams are winning, what’s the problem
So the teams are winning it’s ok for everyone can go booze it up, get hammered and drive drunk and it all goes away. WRONG. These folks are no better than anybody else. It’s time to hold these folks to the same standards us average citizens live with everyday. If they break the law they should be held to the same punishments that we average folks would get. Nobody gets special treatment just because they play sports they need to be held to the same standards and laws that Mainers go through everyday. This coach broke the laws if she was in the private sector held a job she would be terminated if she broke their policies. If she loses these coaching jobs better coaches out there wanting to coach kids. If she wants to go out and party and lose control of her behavior the kids shouldn’t have someone like her leading them. We shouldn’t punish these kids for Ms. Dionne’s pathetic behavior.
Bwahahahah
I’ve known Kori since she was 5. Everyone serving her head up on a platter obviously does not know her or the kind of person she is. She is a kind, thoughtful, caring person, as well as an excellent athelete, mentor, and coach. Yes, she made a mistake but should her life be ruined because of it – NO. If John Doe got caught for an OUI he wouldn’t loose his job nor would he be a headline news article. He’d pay his fine and be on his merry way with a small 3 line article in the court news. Knowing Kori I’m positive she has learned from her mistake and is punishing herself far more than anyone else could. What could have happened is runing thru her mind 24/7. What would be the benefit of taking her job and her life away from her and taking her skills away from the students she coaches. I think she deserves much better than that. How many of you have ever driven when you had a little too much to drink!! As far as her being a role model I think she has rightfully earned the respect of her peers, parents, and students. This may actually be a very good lesson for her students. Making a mistake does not make her any less of a person, coach, or role model.
She is not John Doe and being known to the community makes it so this story bigger. She does not deserve to have her life ruined because of this because, thankfully, she did not destroy anybody else’s life. She does need to be punished as a coach. As a coach she is held to a different standard. I would find it very hard to look up to her as a role model and a coach knowing that she was drinking and attempted to drive. I think if she is convicted or pleads guilty then she should lose her jobs as a coach at Nokomis and she should try again at another place. Now if she is not convicted or does not plead guilty than it’s a different story. This whole thing still needs to be played out in the courts before any action by the RSU should be taken.
Storm — do you honestly think that if she lost her job at Nokomis she could ever find another job coaching? Loosing her job would destroy her life! I think she deserves better than that. I would find no problem with looking up to her as a mentor/role model – she made a mistake and that doesn’t change who she is. All humans make mistakes.
For that matter…go to ANY GIVEN school system and see if any of the teachers/administration have OUI’s, You would be surprised with the outcome how many do have the same convicitions.
she should have thought of that before she got drunk and drove…..
It would not destroy her life. Would it change her life? Obviously yes. Maybe she never coaches again. Believe it or not, there are a few other careers available to her. Again, it’s not my decision, but if she were to lose her job because of her decision, this would not be some school board being unreasonable. It would be the result of her bad decision. Hopefully one that she never makes again, as it could have been so much worse.
You obviously don’t know the first thing about Kori. It would completely devastate her. If any other person gets stopped for OUI they don’t have to worry about loosing their job and career!!! Does anyone stop and consider the other 7 years she has coached at Nokomis and the wonderful job she has done. Her players all have an amazing rapport with her. Furthermore, I think the news has “hung her out to dry and all this publicity was unnecessary. Some of these posts are extremely cruel. She made a bad decision that I’m sure she regrets but haven’t we all.
Well, to be fair, I don’t know the first thing about Kori, and I’m sure that it would be devastating, but that’s not to say that it would be wrong.
It’s not my decision, but if they decided to end her employment, then I believe that it would be completely justified. If they decided not to, then I could understand that too. But I guess I just don’t feel that even if they did terminate her employment that would mean she would never coach again.
And honestly, had they “hung her out to dry”, they would have likely published the BAC. She made a bad decision without a doubt, and I think you’re wrong to assume that there aren’t other jobs out there that would be lost as the result of an OUI. The unfortunate thing about the internet is that cruelty happens, but to keep in mind. None of this was beyond her control. All she had to do is either A) don’t drink or B) don’t drive drunk and none of this would be happening. I just pray she learns her lesson this time, without anyone getting hurt or worse.
Right storm because you’ve never done anything wrong or disappointed anyone in your life I take it? You sit there and say it would be hard to look up to her as a role model but that’s because you DONT know her and you haven’t had the wonderful experience in having her as a coach. Don’t tell me if one of your friends or family did this exact same thing you would lose respect or not look up to them anymore… She made a mistake. One mistake does not make you a horrible person. She obviously was trying to make the right decision by pulling over as stated in the article.
I have made mistakes and I have received punishments for those mistakes. I have never been in trouble with the law. I have lost respect for coaches that I have had because they did things that I did not agree with, whether it be legal, moral or ethical. I’m sure she just made a mistake, but there needs to be consequences. Just speaking for myself, I would find it hard to look up to her as a role model and as an example for how I should live my life.
Her administration was notified as soon as they could..she is human. She made a mistake~
She is a wonderful person and an amazing coach. I personally don’t think all this publicity was necessary. That’s punishment in itself. I know hearing and seeing the news would be emotionally devastating for her.
how do you know that the Administration was notified , are you on the Board or in the Administration ???
Great post…she has learned from her mistake. She will have to live with this mistake for the rest of her life. She is a wonderful person and is paying the price~
People can have thier own opinions and say what they want…however how many individuals in this world have NEVER made a mistake? Think about that before you spread rumors. I am very sad to see what some write/think based on ONE mistake. A great friend made a mistake, did she learn from it 100% YES, did she make several phone calls making sure her administration knew about her mistake as soon as i…t happened YES, is she acting responsible and paying the price for her mistake YES (emotionally, mentally, financially, the list goes on), Should you be judging her or worring about your own life and maybe some of the mistakes you’ve made in your life…a mistake is a mistake, its a life lesson, did she learn YES.
I feel bad for Kori. If she was not a coach/teacher, no one would even know about this. It was a bad decision on her part, but I know she is beating herself up about it every minute of every day.
She made a mistake. Maybe she had a really bad day. She is human. Look at all the good things she has done. She is obviously really good with kids. Great coach. And yes sports are very important. Keeps kids out of trouble. Team sports will teach a kid about real life. You do a job on a team working towards a certain goal. She is someone these kids look up to and is respected in the community. Now if she continued to keep doing it then we have a problem. Everyone deserves a second chance. I hate to hear the negativity. She didnt kill anyone. She made a mistake. Move on people
She could have killed someone. She was irresponsible. “And yes sports are very important. Keeps kids out of trouble.” But not this coach. This isn’t okay because she didn’t kill someone. It isn’t illegal only if she kills someone. Don’t make excuses for bad behavior.
You are right. She could have killed someone. Very irresponsible. A very stupid thing to do. But the thing is she did’nt. Have you ever made a mistake in a automobile? Or ever for that matter? Ever look down to adjust the radio? Ever text while driving? Ever fall asleep at the wheel? Or back over a bicycle in your driveway not paying attention? People get killed in these ways everyday. This women is a good person that made a major mistake and thank goodness nothing happened. She deserves a second chance to make things right. Don’t ruin a women’s life. A career. She is young and we all make mistakes.
the article actually says and I’m quoting …..the car was in the middle
of the road ..she was belted in and the vehicle was running and she was
slumped over to the side…not asleep….also he as in the officer had
to knock on the window several times…asleep really…. read the
article people not just what parts you want to …yes everyone makes
mistakes but she should be suspended until this is resolved at the very
least…but if her contract has a clause about personal behavior then
she needs to go ..and she should make a public apology to the students
and their parents of the kids she let down
Cheryl I agree. This coach needs to be released from her coaching duties.
Second chances are a good thing and maybe this will be her wakeup call. That said, I wonder how many people would be so quick to plead for her forgiveness if she was a male teacher caught in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.
As seen with LeBron James, Michael Vick, Mike Tyson, Jerry Sandusky, and now this woman, people seem to be a LOT more willing to look the other way for a LOT longer period of time if the perp in question is good at sports.
Just who I want coaching my child . . .
Athletes receive lots of press for their accomplishments. When one chooses this path, they accept that this is part of the gig. When they CHOOSE to do something that brings them negative publicity, one can only expect this type of publicity. Yes, they are held to a different standard and must accept responsibility for their actions. Part of her punishment should be talking to kids of what can happen when you make bad decisions. She has a gift of working with kids. Allow her to keep doing so.
I went to school with kori and knew her pretty well, she made a mistake… big one… but she shouldnt be hounded for it.. she is a great person and a great coach…for what she has done at Nokomis Regional High School. She will get through this with the love and support of those who really know her…
and if you dont….well that your mistake…. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KORI!!
I think that if the author of this article had replaced “sleeping” with “passed out”, then it may have had a different connotation to the article and possibly prevented all of these people in the comments praising in any way this young lady for realizing she was too drunk to drive and pulling over and going to sleep. Also, had they release her actual BAC, that may have also shown this in a slightly different light.
It seems to me from reading the article, that she passed out at the wheel which could have ended much, much worse. Thank God it didn’t…I don’t however feel like it’s my place to judge her or to assume what the school should do, that’s their call.
error
It’s sad to sit here and watch you people believe everything that is written in the news paper. I’ve seen many articles where there were wrong statements just like some in this. For those of you who don’t know the story you should keep your small minded opinions to yourself and stop making assumptions on things you know nothing about. I’m not saying what she did was right because it wasn’t. But listening to you guys tear the story up by pointing out that she was in the middle of the road or passed out or even on falvey street can all be wrong statements. Just like any article that is written it comes from someone who knows nothing about it just like most of you.
Party on Wayne
Comon she is a winning coach. She’s not going anywhere nor should she while her teams are winning. If her teams start losing in the future then use it as a grounds for dismissal.
With that many kids under her watch she should have just designated them to drive her around when she was throwing back a few brewskies!!
As long as her teams are winning leave her alone
First off, noone referenced the fact she was pulling over because she realized she shouldnt have been driving. I’ve known the girl my whole life and she has been angel. The fact that she did thr right thing and pulled over and stopped driving, her punishment should not be harsh at all. Maybe if the cops weren’t such “nice guys” and that’s sarcastic, they would have listened to what happened, but no they are the opposite of nice guys. They are just out to make a dollar.
First off, noone referenced the fact she was pulling over because she realized she shouldnt have been driving. I’ve known the girl my whole life and she has been angel. The fact that she did thr right thing and pulled over and stopped driving, her punishment should not be harsh at all. Maybe if the cops weren’t such “nice guys” and that’s sarcastic, they would have listened to what happened, but no they are the opposite of nice guys. They are just out to make a dollar. This town is so crooked. Why don’t they go worry about rapists and killers, and let the poor girl take a cab home. And bigcat you must be from Presque Isle and jealous her team beat your girls the past couple years, HATERRRRRRR
Pulling over, Pretty sure the article says she was parked sideways in the rode. That doesnt sound to me like she pulled over.
You obviously don’t know the first thing about Kori. It would completely devastate her. If any other person gets stopped for OUI they don’t have to worry about loosing their job and career!!! Does anyone stop and consider the other 7 years she has coached at Nokomis and the wonderful job she has done. Her players all have an amazing rapport with her. Furthermore, I think the news has “hung her out to dry and all this publicity was unnecessary. Some of these posts are extremely cruel. She made a bad decision that I’m sure she regrets but haven’t we all.
Most of her supporters are the same supporters who thought all the kids from bhs this winter who were caught drinking should have never gotten in trouble.. This my friends is a product of that same school system
The sad fact here is that this young woman needs help. People can call for her head on a platter, and others can defend her and advocate for her to keep her job. What needs to happen is for Ms. Dionne to step back and make a real assessment of what will be best for her and her teams. Basketball and Soccer are insignificant. She can keep her coaching positions and, with the right approach, her players can learn positive lessons from this. She can step down from her positions and, with the right approach, her players will learn positive lessons. The important thing is that she move in the direction that will give her the best chance of straightening out her life. Far too often, rigid policies punish and sanction individuals and only make the situation worse. I coached a fine young man at Brewer High School who got pulled in the wrong direction and made some bad choices. Basketball was the one thing that was pulling him in the right direction. Because of the “policy” this young man had a very positive influence taken away from him when he was removed from the basketball team. I attended his funeral a few weeks later, and have always wondered what might have been had the policy been less rigid and oriented more toward helping those who have made mistakes rather than making examples of them. I realize that Ms. Dionne is 31 and not 16, but I believe the same applies. Whatever is done with her coaching positions by her AD, Principal, Superintendent, School Board, friends, parents and students, I hope that she will receive some solid support as she attempts to put the pieces of her life back together, and that she will make that her number one priority.