Ronald M. Cefalone, Hopewell Township
This letter is in response to “Parents Take Aim at Hoops Program” (Feb. 25 HVN).
I am a Hopewell Valley resident who has been officiating basketball at the local high school level for many years. I am writing this rebuttal to voice my dissatisfaction at the actions taken my several Hopewell Valley parents against Tony Mormile. He has been a very successful coach on the high school level from his earlier days when he coached at nearby Notre Dame High School in Lawrence Township. In addition, he was a collegiate player at Trenton State College where he played for longtime area coach Kevin Bannon. He has been around successful basketball people his entire adult life and has passed off what he has learned from those individuals and carried that with him to Hopewell Valley Central High School. Every time I would see Mr. Mormile he would always have something positive to say about his basketball players. He was always interested in their continued successes both on and off the court.
Furthermore, Tony is a dedicated coach, husband, and father to three wonderful children. Concerned parents should think before they speak and attack a person who lives by core values and is involved in his community. As a taxpayer in Hopewell Township, I’m appalled that a school board would validate the comments from several disgruntled parents who are upset as to how their children’s basketball coach has conducted his coaching methods. This situation should have been handled behind close doors in a professional manner at the conclusion of the season.
As you may be aware, Mr. Mormile is a guidance counselor at the high school. The article stated that Mr. Mormile should be more of a mentor to his student athletes. How could he be more of a mentor when he mentors everyday as a guidance counselor? I would like to know how many parents have shown up at any recent school board meeting to discredit Mr. Mormile as a guidance counselor. I think the answer is none.
As someone who has been involved with sports my entire life, I believe this is the wrong message to send to our Hopewell Valley athletes.
