Richard (Ike) Hostetler subject of Tuscarawas County basketball probe involving transfer from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School to Walnut Creek.
DOVER - A demand for 'definite evidence' and 'positive proof'' was the answer given the Tuscarawas County Coaches Assocation by Ohio High School Athletic Commissioner, H.W. Emswiler, today as a result of the association's mass protest last week against the transfer of Richard (Ike) Hostetler of Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School, indicating the protests and requests for investigation of the controversial transfer are being made to his office without sufficient affidavits. Emswiler; however, told the county coaches that "we haven't the slightest compunction about reversing our decision in this case without definite evidence produced to prove our information was erroneous."
In a two page letter, addressed to Head Coach Fritz Jacobs of Gnadenhutten, Secretary of the County Association, Emswiler made his stand on the case very clear. Emswiler's letter reads: "Friday, February 16, 1951, I talked with 4 men, members of the Board of Election as I understood them, relative to the Richard Hostetler siuation. I recall the names of only two, a Mr. France and a Mr. Miller.
"We went over the pertinent correspondence rather carefully. Both Supt. E.J. Miller and Athletic Director John Ridley of Walnut Creek emphatically stated there was no undue influence by anyone, either within or without the school to encourage Hostetler to transfer. In fact, Mr. Miller stated that the morning the boy presented himself for enrollment he urged him to go back to Sugarcreek and finish, but the boy stated that he and his wife had to seek cheaper living quarters."
Emswiler, at this point in his answer, reminded the coaches that more than circumstantial evidence is necessary to lodge a protest and launch an investigation. "You state that a wealth of circumstantial evidence now exists which should make it very easy to uncover the real truth."
"Circumstantial evidence is all we have here to refute the positive statements made by E.J. Miller and John Ridley after receiving the letters relative to this case." "A Charles Voltz of Berlin states that it has been reported that Mr. Moses Hostetler, Tommy Miller, Dutch Horrisberger and a Mr. Mast made a special call to Ike's and stayed 2 hours, according to neighbors. Shortly after that, Hostetler pulled out for Walnut Creek," Emswiler revealed.
Emswiler states that "in another letter we are told that the persons interested cannot now prove that this Booster Club used influence to bring about this transfer, since the club would deny all such accusations." "This is probably true," Emswiler states, "but in several cases boys have been ruled ineligible because those who protested did produce affidavits and other definite evidence."
Emswiler ended his letter by advising the coaches to interview persons connected with the cause and supply positive proof before requesting further investigation.
Friday, February 23, 1951
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
No comments:
Post a Comment