Eastwood coach Gracyk suspended

1/30/2007

Veteran Eastwood girls basketball coach Jim Gracyk has been suspended indefinitely for an unspecified violation of the school's conduct code for coaches.

Gracyk, 57, who has a 296-95 record in his 17th season guiding the Eagles, confirmed yesterday that he was suspended by school administrators after a meeting on Saturday morning.

Both Gracyk and Eastwood athletic director Troy Slattman declined to comment on the specific reason for the suspension, although the coach did confirm that the suspension had nothing to do with his team's recent 15-7 slowdown victory Jan. 18 in a Suburban Lakes League game against Genoa, or any subsequent comments he made regarding that unusual game.

"It was just a violation of our coaches code of conduct, which is established in our athletic handbook,'' said Slattman, who also declined to reveal the length of Gracyk's suspension.

"We have not yet made a determination. Our administrators have met, and now we need to meet with coach Gracyk as soon as possible to determine what the outcome will be."

Slattman said that until a decision has been made, Gracyk will not be permitted to conduct practice or coach in any games. Junior varsity coach Chris Mathews, formerly the head girls varsity coach at Genoa, has been appointed interim head coach and will lead the Eagles in their game tonight at Tiffin Columbian.

- Steve Junga