Letters to the editor in support of Coach Rich Schimke
Letters submitted in support of Coach Rich Schimke
Submitted to Paso Robles Superintendent Chris Williams,
I am writing due to the appalling and unbelievably disturbing news of Coach Rich Schimke being on paid administrative leave. I am asking for the immediate reinstatement of Coach Schimke to the classroom and as head coach of the Paso Robles High School Bearcat Varsity Football Team.
I am a mother of two former players who played on the 2014 CIF Team and also the mother of a ball boy for the Bearcats from the time he was 4 or 5 years old until he was in 7th grade. I have known Coach Schimke for upwards of 20 years. He is a man of integrity, class, and good ethical and moral standards. I have nothing but the utmost respect for this man.
Schimke lives his life each and every day with integrity, righteousness, morality, decency, and faithfulness and he exudes those qualities to his students and players. From the time my sons were old enough to play football, I wanted their coach to be Rich, I wanted a coach for my boys that not only taught them about the game, but was a mentor in life. I wanted my boys to be coached by a man who had values, who thought family was important, and who led them to be good human beings. Rich Schimke did that!
The way Rich Schimke is being treated in unfair and unjust! The police have closed the investigation and concluded that no crime occurred during the incident that happened on Oct. 14 after the San Luis Obispo game. The school has interviewed several players, people who were there several days ago. If he was cleared by the police and cleared to teach, then why is he not in the classroom? I have faith in the Paso Robles Police Department which makes me question your agenda, Williams. Furthermore, is he’s cleared to teach, he should be cleared to coach!
As more time passes it’s painfully transparent there is another agenda of the school district. Bashing a man with a stellar teaching and coaching career and dragging his good name through the mud is unbelievably uncalled for. The way this has unfolded and the way the district is handling this matter is allowing for inappropriate speculation from the community, which is destroying this man’s life.
I urge you to look at the facts and make your decision based on those, not a transparent hidden agenda the community sees through.
If he’s been cleared to teach, he should be cleared to coach!
I stand with Schimke
Heather Gray
Submitted to Paso Robles Superintendent Chris Williams,
I am writing this letter in regards to the recent events involving Rich Schimke. By now, your email box has been bombarded with support and love for the long-time Bearcat coach, teacher, role model, and friend. I am hoping to add just one more letter to that support.
I know that you do not know me. I wasn’t a student of the Paso Robles Unified School District, but if I were, I would have graduated before you took your place as the superintendent. In fact, I graduated from Templeton High School and am now well into my third year at Boise State University. However, I identify myself as being a member of the Bearcat community. All of my siblings went to PRHS, my dad taught physical education and coached football, basketball, and golf at PRHS for years, and my mom is a member of the Bearcat Boosters executive board. To say that I don’t have crimson and white flowing through my veins would be an understatement. Now, with that being said, there is one member of this community that stands out in my mind when I think of the phrase “Bearcat Pride,” and that is Rich Schimke.
Since 1997, Rich has been the acting head varsity football coach. In the two decades he has been the head coach, Schimke led four teams to CIF championship titles; one of those teams included three of my brothers and their friends. From watching how Coach Schimke interacts with his players on the sidelines to the interactions with them at the Bearcat luncheons on game days at McClintocks (yes, I went to the luncheons and served the boys with some of the moms), he has nothing but the utmost respect for his team. It may come as a surprise for you to hear this, but the team has the utmost respect for him as well. Throughout the season, Rich spends more time with those boys than their own parents. He is a father figure to each and every one of them for they are a family, a band of brothers. When he’s not coaching them on the field, Rich is coaching them in life. He teaches the boys about manners, respect, discipline and how a good character will get them far in life. If any of the boys were struggling, Rich was the first to help whether it was with grades, family, or matters on the field. All he has ever wanted was to see those boys succeed. He not only has dedicated countless hours weekdays and given up plenty of Saturdays for this program, but he has shown that same attitude and dedication in the classroom.
Now, you’re probably wondering how I would know what kind of teacher he is as I didn’t even go to PRHS, but I know from the countless times he has helped me with my own homework. I have babysat for Rich and his wife, Erin, all throughout high school. When they would get home from their events, Rich would sit down and help me with my AP Statistics homework if I didn’t understand the material. I didn’t even go to PRHS, and yet he was more than willing to help me with my homework not because I asked, but because he wanted to see me succeed. If he showed that kind of support for a student that wasn’t one of his own, then I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of support and love he pours into his own students’ academics and success.
It has come to my attention, in light of recent events, that Schimke has been cleared by the Paso Robles Police Department of any wrongdoing. He has been cleared and deemed fit to teach and coach by law enforcement, and yet he is still absent from the classroom and the football field. I understand that it is the district’s responsibility to make sure it’s students are safe, and they are, but there seems to be a hidden agenda that is becoming more and more evident as time goes on. Paso Robles is a very tight-knit community, and we have each other’s backs, especially when one of our own has done nothing wrong. All Schimke ever wanted to do was leave a lasting impression on these boys in a positive manner. This “investigation” only proves that his team still looks at him in a positive light, as I’ve heard nothing but an outpouring of support by the players for their coach, their leader into battle. This “investigation” has gone on for far too long, and by having Coach Schimke’s name slandered by the media reflects poorly on the kind of “investigation” you are conducting. The longer you let this go on, the more this man’s life is being destroyed! The bottom line is this: if he is eligible to teach, then he is eligible to coach.
Rich Schimke is a great man. He is single-handedly the greatest man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is a man of faith, a family man to his wife and two children, a leader for a band of brothers on the field, and a mentor for the Paso Robles High School student body in the classroom. I can’t recall a single time when Schimke couldn’t make me laugh or smile. He does not deserve the kind of publicity that he is currently receiving. He has done nothing but worn Bearcat Pride on his sleeve for twenty years, and that says a lot considering he graduated high school as a Greyhound.
I am asking you to please reconsider the agony you are putting this man through, and to look at the facts of the situation. As I had mentioned earlier, and I guarantee others have mentioned too, he was cleared by the Paso Robles Police Department of any wrongdoing, and is fit to return to the classroom and the field. Please, don’t ruin a man’s life that has done nothing but been the definition of what it means to be a Bearcat.
Makenna Gray
Submitted to Paso Robles Superintendent Chris Williams,
I have known Schimke for over 25 years and can testify to his high moral character. My grandson attends Paso High and Schimke has been a big influence in his personal development long before advancing to High School. As a grandparent and a retired Parole Officer with California Corrections I am pleased that the recent event was taken seriously and investigated; however, I am deeply troubled that this matter hasn’t been put to rest and Schimke restored to his teaching and coaching position, since being cleared of any criminal actions. I stand in total confidence of Coach Schimke and support him being restored to his former positions.
To the administration and school board you are directly responsible for directing Paso Robles Schools in what it is and will be; in building morale in teachers, encouraging school spirit and teaching our children, your students, not just academics but moral and ethical principles of life. So I ask you, has your actions to date achieved your obligations to the students and the public? When the Paso Police Dept. investigation was called into question and dismissed, by Superintendent Williams and stating the school will be conducting its own investigation, but has not provided any further facts. That no action was taken against coach Mooney who brought the syrup and poured it. I am questioning is this a matter of Coach Schimke’s character or of our current administration and the School Board. I am confident the truth will support the former.
Raymond Johnson
Submitted to Paso Robles Superintendent Chris Williams,
This message is in response to the recent disturbing and appalling unfair treatment of Coach Rich Schimke. As a grandmother of two former varsity players and mother-in-law of a former varsity coach, I have observed Coach Schimke for twenty years. I have nothing but the utmost respect for this man. Respect is not earned by having bad moral character; it is earned by living your life with integrity day after day, year after year. And this describes Coach Rich Schimke. From all that I’ve heard and conversations I’ve had, I cannot help but think that this is motivated by a personal agenda. These actions have greatly saddened a community. Do the proper thing; reinstate Coach Schimke to his rightful position of head football coach and teacher at Paso Robles High School.
Kathy Danskin
Submitted to Paso Robles Superintendent Chris Williams,
I feel the need to speak up for my colleague and friend Rich Schimke. I have taught at Paso Robles High School since 1982- longer than anyone on staff. I have seen many teachers, students, administrators and school board members come and go. I have loved being part of the Paso Robles High School community. Schimke is one of the very best educators I have known in my time here.
The way Schimke is being treated is unfair, unnecessary, and just plain wrong. He is one of the best men I have known in 37 years of teaching. Two of my own children had Schimke in math. They loved him as teacher and as a person. He is an outstanding teacher! He is extremely effective and cares about his students. His students are suffering in his absence.
Why is this happening? I don’t know what the incident was, but the police have found that no crime was committed. Who of us has not made mistakes? I certainly have. Do the right thing for students and Schimke and allow him to return to the classroom and sideline. All that we do here is for the students, right? The best thing for our students is to return Schimke to teaching and coaching immediately.
Brian Kerr
To the editor,
I have already spoke to Chris Williams, but felt compelled to write you all a letter about the situation regarding Coach Schimke. I do not know the complexity of the situation, nor do I care to speculate about the facts. I would only like to describe to you my experience with him.
I have been a Paso Robles resident my entire life. I attended Georgia Brown elementary school, Flamson middle school and Paso Robles High School. Upon graduating, I attended Cal Poly University, played basketball there and graduated with a degree in Ag Business, with a concentration in finance and appraisal. Currently, my husband and I are self employed cattle ranchers, running cattle all over the state of California.
I have known Coach Schimke for the past twenty years, I played 4 years on his Varsity Girls basketball team, he was my math teacher, and upon graduation in 2000, he continued to mentor me as I played Div 1 basketball. In 2005 I began coaching the JV squad at Paso Robles High, in 2010 I took over the Varsity team, all the while, Schimke offered support and guidance.
Throughout my high school, college and professional career Coach Schimke has always been a positive, supportive role model in my life. He has always treated me with the utmost respect and consideration. HIs dedication to his family, profession, community and players are just a few of the many things that I respect him for. Over the last twenty years he has displayed incredible work ethic, fairness and honesty in every situation that I have ever had with him.
I know that as a coach, an employer, or a volunteer, the negative is 10 times louder than the positive. It is rare that a person makes the effort to compliment an employee, coach or volunteer that is doing an outstanding job. But, most people are quick to criticize, complain or put down that particular person, to their higher ups.
As I have already mentioned, I cannot speculate as to why Rich Schimke has been placed on administrative leave. But, I can attest to his character over the past 20 years. He has been a tremendous role model, and mentor who has truly wanted me to succeed as an individual.
I believe our community has valued his past 28 years of coaching and teaching service, and am disappointed as to how he has been portrayed in the media. It would appear he has received little support from the community and the school where he has dedicated so much of his time.
Heidi Wittstrom Sill
Submitted to Paso Robles Superintendent Chris Williams,
As a retired mathematics teacher of 33 years at Paso Robles High School, I have now known Rich Schimke for the past 28 years. As a matter of fact, as Mathematics Department Chair, I had the privilege back in 1988 of being part of the personnel committee which enthusiastically hired Rich to a teaching position at the high school. For most of these years, our classrooms were next door to each other and we developed a very close professional and personal relationship.
I could write volumes of accolades concerning Rich, but I will just mention a few you may not be aware of that extend beyond his well documented coaching accomplishments in football, girls basketball and golf. Throughout the years, Rich has been a leader in the mathematics department in the implementation of new programs and introducing innovative instructional strategies and teaching techniques. Rich was also the sole person to implement AP statistics to the school, and his students have consistently had one of the highest passing rates when compared to other students in the county. He has taken his statistics students to competitions in the Valley and placed first out of over twenty high schools. For the past two years he has coordinated the first ever AP Statistics/AP Calculus competitions which were hosted by Paso High and attended by teams of students from all over San Luis Obispo County and beyond.
Rich has always been held in the highest esteem by his colleagues in the math department, and area math departments within our county. Countless students (including two of my own children who had him as a teacher) rave about Rich, and claim he is the best math teacher they have ever had in their life. Rich combines a vast subject knowledge, a great sense of humor, and an uncanny ability to connect with students. In my opinion, Rich is one of the finest educators I have ever been associated with. He is an outstanding person, excellent teacher, and is simply put, a man of utmost integrity.
Rich has gone time and again, way way above the call of duty on behalf of the students of our district, never ever wishing for any personal recognition. A few years ago, the district lost over $1.5 million on an “accounting error.” All assistant coaching stipends were suspended, yet Rich quietly went to work on fundraising. For three years he raised over $100,000 per year, enough money to keep his program running and his coaches on all three levels paid, both in season and summer. Never once did he complain about the district, or try to take credit for his own efforts. On countless occasions Rich has dipped into his own pocket as well in order to cover expenses or to help defray equipment costs for one of his players.
So it was with shock that I first learned the story of his placement on “paid administrative leave” because of an incident involving a student. I understand that this is a confidential personnel matter which cannot be discussed. I also understand that I do not know all of the facts pertaining to this incident. I do know however, that within two days both the police department and district attorney’s office closed the case. So I am left to question, what is taking the school district so long to conduct its own “investigation?” Why, by insinuation, is Rich’s good name, character and integrity continuing to be called into question by the district’s continued silence and procrastination in settling the matter?
This has the appearance of intentionality. It has the appearance that someone wants Rich replaced as football coach, and this “incident” seemingly is a convenient way to make that happen. It has the appearance that whatever was involved in this incident, the district has blown it way out of proportion. It also has the appearance that perhaps there is yet one more person from the Fresno/Clovis area “waiting in the wings” to take over as football coach. Whether or not any of these appearances are true, they still present a toxic image of the school district to the community.
The district is also sending a strong and powerful message to every teacher on staff at Paso Robles High School. The message goes something like this: “Do not go above and beyond in your teaching responsibilities. Do not volunteer to coach. Do not volunteer to take your students on amazing field trips like the GEO program does to Zion. Do not do anything beyond your responsibilities from 7:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Because if you do, and you are caught in even the tiniest infraction, you will be punished, and punished severely.” This is not the way any of your teachers should be treated, much less one of the most outstanding teacher/coaches in Paso Robles High School history. This is not the way to build staff morale, in fact it is a morale killer. It is definitely not the way to garner community support, and it certainly is not the way to campaign in favor of a school bond measure.
For the first time in my life, I am not proud to be a Bearcat because of the shameful manner in which the school district has thus far handled this matter. Please make this right. Unless the district has overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing which neither the police department nor district attorney were able to find, it is well past time to reinstate Rich back to where he belongs – his mathematics classroom and the football field.
Don Volle
