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A touchy subject
Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller * When I saw the story this morning that Gov. Pat Quinn’s brother was fired as Fenwick’s head basketball coach, I felt for both men. Coach Quinn is, by all accounts, a heckuva guy, a great teacher and a solid coach. And his brother is understandably proud of him. I decided not to do a cheap post and mock either man just for the sake of some ironic comments about… well, whatever. I’m not going there. But keeping in mind that we don’t know all the circumstances behind Coach Quinn’s firing, I still find it odd that Gov. Quinn would be so aggressive with his reaction today…
* Personal stuff should be kept personal. I really don’t like even thinking about things like this…
Despite the public commentary, let’s try to not get too outraged in comments here. Brothers defend brothers. I get to say whatever I want about mine, but you’d better not. Remember that, and that Coach Quinn may very well have been shabbily treated before you hit the “Say It” button below. Thanks.
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- I'm Just Saying - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:01 pm:
I met him first at the Inauguration three years ago. John Quinn is a hell of a a guy and Fenwick did him wrong. Years ago a coach at Trinity informed me of this trend. If these parents in the area that Fenwick serves turn against you, they will put pressure on the Administration and you are gone…..
I’m Sure John Quinn didn’t play Billy enough and Billy’s dad has some $$$ and wanted him gone.
He got a raw deal. he’s a perfect gentleman and is only two seasons away from 500 wins!!!!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:01 pm:
A Brother defends his Brother(s). That is what they do.
Family.
That’s all I have to say about that.
- Blockhead - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:05 pm:
It’s fun for some people to trash coaches and teachers but when your relative or good friend is giving their soul to other peoples’ children, it hits hard and you know it’s wrong. I’m sure Coach Quinn made a lasting positive impression for life on many of his ex-players and is truly cherished by as many.
I hope the governor is realizing, now that it has hit home, how seriously dedicated teachers and coaches are and how it cuts to the bone when people are disrespectful. Perhaps our governor will now realize that too. Doubt it’ll change his rhetoric, but I can hope.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:09 pm:
Anyone who comes here or knows AA IRL understands I’m not a fan of Pat Quinn.
Having said that, I strongly believe that there are two things that you don’t mess with-the faith or the family.
We saw more of the former yesterday than I could believe. Today, all I have to say is God bless you Pat, for speaking your mind. I might not like you as a Governor but you are a standup brother. There may be another time to reflect on the tenor and tone of the message, but right now speaking from the heart is perfectly fine by me.
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:22 pm:
I think his comments strike at who Pat Quinn is as a Governor as much as they do as a brother. Quinn is resistant to change. Plain and simple. Whether it’s change to re-energize government or a high schools desire to re-energize a fledgling basketball program, his message is simple: this is a personal attack on (fill in the blanks). What he is not saying here is “my brother had a great run, and it’s over. I am forever proud of his accomplishments. Next topic, please.”
Change is a good thing, even in basketball programs.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:40 pm:
Of course Quinn is mad. It’s his brother.
This is a big deal in my neighborhood. I live down the street from Fenwick (and OPRF, where my kids go). I know the kids and families from Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and Galewood — not so much the families from Hinsdale and Western Springs, who I suspect might be the driving force here.
Youth sport politics here and everywhere can be as nasty as anything under The Dome.
I don’t know that there’s anything political going on here (although plenty of the Big Money boys at Fenwick don’t like Gov. Quinn, believe me). They have a new, young Athletic Director who made a mess of firing the football coach a couple of years ago.
The Friars had a great year this year. They went 18-9, won their regional and beat OPRF at the Fieldhouse for the first time in a long time.
As someone who’s watched a lot of local high school ball over the years, I’d say they overachieved, due to good kids who took good coaching. I feel bad for them — they did great — and John, who had a good year.
St. Patty’s Day parties and Madison Street are going to be buzzing, I’ll tell you that.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:43 pm:
@Knome:
It’s his brother, not some government public policy. His reaction is, well, human. I would say the same thing if it happened to my brother. I don’t think anything about Quinn’s comments should be criticized.
- MartyFriar - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:46 pm:
As a Fenwick grad, this is long overdue. Great guy, bad teacher and an even worse coach. Yes, this was driven by parents, but by parents over the last 20 years, not just the last year. Politics kept Quinn at Fenwick too long. And that’s the truth. Tough too lose a job, but I’m not sure this was the forum Quinn needed to use. Should have taken the high road.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:46 pm:
One does not have to comment publicly on every topic, especially where family is concerned. Different rules apply when you’re governor of the state. Sadly, that’s not a lesson this governor has ever learned.
- MartyFriar - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:52 pm:
@Wordslinger The AD made mess of firing a football coach? That coach verbally abused other coaches and nearly got in a fist fight with another coach in the middle of a game. Would you want him coaching your kids?
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:52 pm:
@ Demoralized 2:43
I respectfully disagree. The governor is the governor and his words matter. To say, as was reported, that “he feels the Oak Park school where he graduated has ‘lost its soul’” and “the administration there has let down the students, the alumni and shame on them” for having the audacity to fire his brother is a little much, don’t you agree? Yes, I understand the concept of “brother protecting brother” but c’mon, this is way over the top.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 2:59 pm:
@Knome:
We will have to agree to disagree. I don’t buy into the arguments that being Governor prohibits you from commenting on things like this. Emotions run high with family and I don’t fault him for anything. But people can have differing opinions and I don’t fault anybody for that either.
- One of the 35 - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:05 pm:
Brothers and other stuff notwithstanding, how do you fire a guy who just went 18 and 9?
- Dazed & Confused - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:15 pm:
All I know is that Craig Robinson who is the head basketball coach at Oregon State says his prayers every day that his brother-in-law is President Obama. Because without that connection, I’m guessing that an overall record of 61-70 and a conference record of 27-45 wouldn’t cut in in the PAC 10.
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:20 pm:
@ Demoralized 2:59
I hear what you’re saying. But the governor’s use of hyperbole in a high school personnel matter (and the brother keeps his teaching job in the meantime) is what I am talking about. “Lost souls” and “shame” are not appropriate synonyms for “disappointed” and “saddened” at his brother’s coaching demise.
- Endangered Moderate Species - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:24 pm:
There should be a head basketball opening at Seton Academy.
The Seton coach should have been fired before the bus returned to the City because of the Saturday night fiasco in the State 2A final.
The Harrisburg team didn’t show much class either.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:35 pm:
C’mon, Quinn’s a Fenwick lifer. His parish, Ascension, is down the street. His brother just got fired. This is his community; it’s a family matter, a neighborhood thing.
It has nothing to do with being governor. He was a neighborhood guy when he was a nobody, and he’ll be a neighborhood guy long after he’s done as governor.
- Wumpus - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:39 pm:
How do you fire a guy who goes 10-6? Quinn is not the most calm/collected guy. He wears his emotions on his sleeves. He has the fire and the passion! I am not surprised by his anger at all nor am I upset at it.
- Steamer - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:40 pm:
At least management isn’t taking part of his pension! Maybe Coach Quinn will be the most qualified person in all the United States to be the Director of some Illinois state agency!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:41 pm:
better him than a teacher
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:42 pm:
@ Wordslinger =it’s a family matter, a neighborhood thing=
Yes, so parochial that the Springfield Journal Register picked it up. I suppose the SJ-R will report on Oak Park’s garbage pick-up day changing from Wednesday’s to Friday’s?
- dupage dan - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:46 pm:
I understand the whole brother thing. Got 2 of ‘em myself. I think the gov going public shows the man has difficulty with personal boundaries. Not the proper venue to express his displeasure. As the governor, Quinn should limit his public pronouncements to the issues of our state. I know there are exceptions to that - illness of a spouse/child/parent, that sort of thing. But the governor kvetching in public about his brother being fired from his coaching position? Not. Appropriate. Period.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:47 pm:
–Yes, so parochial that the Springfield Journal Register picked it up.–
The SJR, really? Do they print stories about anything else going on in the world?
My point was is that Quinn’s reaction reflected his position as a brother and a lifetime member of a small community.
What’s your point, dude?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:51 pm:
– But the governor kvetching in public about his brother being fired from his coaching position? Not. Appropriate. Period. –
Why? What’s the problem? Are you put out somehow?
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:56 pm:
@ Wordslinger
My point is this: Yes, the governor can be “sad” and “disappointed” that his beloved brother was sacked as the basketball coach at his beloved alma mater. But his reliance on hyperbole to show his “sadness” and “disappoiment” is grossly over the top. Did the school “really lose its soul” because John Quinn was sacked? Should anyone at Fenwick be “ashamed” at this? Yes, I agree it’s a “local pride” matter for the Governor, but please, man, get back to work! This state is quickly falling into a financial sink-hole that the Governor really shouldn’t have time for this triviality.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 3:57 pm:
We certainly don’t know all the facts behind his being let go. For that matter, the Governor may not know either. From my perspective, a more temperate response would have been to express love and support for his brother, but to decline any further comment as it is a matter between his brother and the school. I know that takes some restraint, but his brother is a big boy and can fight his own battles.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:00 pm:
word, I appreciate the local insight. You’re spot on that athletic politics can be as nasty as anything we all witness at the Capitol.
EMS, it’s a bit o/t but I agree that the Class 2A Bball final was one of the worst moments in Illinois HS athletics in years, with the ham-handed reaction of the IHSA running a close second.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:02 pm:
I was going to sit this out, but …
Pat Quinn lives in that neighborhood, is active in that specific community, and he, himself, is a member of that community, and family, at Fenwick where his brother coached…
How some will not cut Pat Quinn some slack on the “human” side of being a brother, and being a very visable member of the Fenwick community, and this news is a sad statement of where we are.
As for the SJ-R covering this, and the Trib, and other media outlets; Thems the times we live. Could Pat Quinn have not answered? Possibly, but when someone is talking and defending their brother, who they think was “wronged” (I have Zero clue what all went down, I am speaking from the Pat Quinn angle), good for Pat Quinn, defending family.
The rest of this is political fodder for other issues that do not include Pat Quinn, his brother, Fenwick, or basketball.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:04 pm:
=== Why? What’s the problem? Are you put out somehow? ===
Nope, just embarassed by the public display of personal angst. I just don’t think it is appropriate for Quinn to use the peoples’ pulpit to complain about private matters.
Why does that bother you?
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:05 pm:
Also kinda o/t, but maybe Pat Quinn just found himself a Lite Gov candidate he can live with. Literally. Just. Kidding.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:10 pm:
@dupage dan:
It doesn’t bother me that people have differing opinions on the subject. My thinking is simply this: it’s understandable that he would be upset and he got caught up in the moment with regard to his brother. I don’t find any fault with that. Furthermore, I don’t think it’s particularly any of our business even though he said it publicly. I think people claim too much oversight over somebody just because they are a public official. They have a right to get a bit testy, especially about a family matter. I also frankly don’t know why anybody cares. If it embarasses you that much then you have pretty thin skin.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:10 pm:
=== How some will not cut Pat Quinn some slack on the “human” side of being a brother, and being a very visable member of the Fenwick community, and this news is a sad statement of where we are ===
I am not saying Quinn shouldn’t have concern for his brother. I agree that, as a member of the community, Quinn has a right to speak his mind. Perhaps he should go to a school board meeting or write a letter to the board, or AD of the school.
What I don’t agree with is his use of the bully pulpit that belongs to the office of the governor and, by extension, the people of the state of Illinois. I can make that disctinction without being disrespectful of Gov Quinn and his brother.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:12 pm:
DD, I don’t know what a people’s pulpit is. Both of them are public figures. Quinn was asked a question, and he answered, honestly.
Would you feel better if he lied?
- dupage dan - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:16 pm:
Sheesh, so much made of nothing. word - have you ever heard of a metaphor?
Who said anything about telling the truth or lying? It is simply silly.
Asked the question - Quinn could say, “I love my brother and support him in all things. I am disappointed what happened. Next question”.
See, that’s not too hard, is it? And not a lie in the sentence.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:27 pm:
===What I don’t agree with is his use of the bully pulpit that belongs to the office of the governor and, by extension, the people of the state of Illinois.===
How is it that he was talking about his brother and it becomes a “Bully Pulpit”? Who is he bullying at this point in the story?
Further, as a member of the “Fenwick Family” and having his own strong personal connections, let alone his brother, basketball, etc., He was commenting on something.
If commenting now becomes a “Bully Pulpit” every time ANY governor speaks, then we are all worse off then I first thought …It’s about his brother, Fenwick, and basketball. If anyone reads any more into it than those three things …
- Wensicia - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:28 pm:
Quinn has every right to defend and support his brother, but not in the public forum as governor.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:36 pm:
How would those of you critiquing Pat Quinn suggest that he handle the matter, other than perhaps a change in phraseology?
How many of you have faced a similar challenge in the intersection of your personal/professional lives and how did you handle it?
I’m ready to learn.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:39 pm:
The bottom line is that people will find anything to gripe about. I look forward to the time when we elect perfect people to office, though I’m sure if Jesus Chris himself was elected somebody would still find fault in something he did.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:40 pm:
“Jesus Christ”
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:42 pm:
@ Oswego Willy
Why is the Governor of a state with 12 million people making public statements at a public event on a subject that involves his brother’s termination as long-time coach of private institution’s basketball program? The entire Fenwick community, all 5,000 of them, whether they agree or not with this private matter to terminate a relationship with their long-term basketball coach, who happens to be the Governor’s brother, be of anyone’s concern outside of Oak Park? If the head coach of De LaSalle gets sacked tonight, who cares? I just wish the Governor would get worked up over things that matter….to me!
- what he said - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:43 pm:
I am with Dupage Dan all the way on this.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:43 pm:
@AA,
DD said it best, “I love my brother and support him in all things. I am disappointed what happened.”
I’m a public school educator. How about I stand up before my HS students and declare my sister’s dismissal at an unrelated employment position was unfair using all of the invective displayed above? Would that be appropriate?
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 4:45 pm:
@AA =I’m ready to learn.=
1) don’t become a basketball coach at a suburban Catholic High School
2) discourage your brother or sister from running for governor.
- Fight Fair - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 5:02 pm:
I did not attend Fenwick but have come to know the school and several of its officials. Fenwick is run well, lives its Dominican values, and has a fabulous record of educating students who go on to succeed at the nation’s top universities.
It’s a free country and the governor can say what he wishes — but out of respect for its former coach, Fenwick cannot do the same. MartyFriar makes points that resonate accurately with people who know Fenwick; the empty theorizing above about parents from Western Springs and Hinsdale is comically false to anyone who knows how hard Fenwick strives to treat every family the same.
Look, it’s been close to three decades with one coach, and the private-sector school that pays the salaries has decided to make a change. Maybe the rest of us should show some restraint in judging school officials who’ve earned a lot of credibility by running a first-class institution. A first-class institution that sometimes has to make difficult decisions based on what’s best for its students going forward.
- olddog - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 5:14 pm:
Was Quinn asked for comment? It’s not 100 percent clear, but the Trib’s story says, “The governor made the remarks in front of the Capitol, where he had just spoken to hundreds of students wearing Future Farmers of America jackets on a day where they are visiting lawmakers.” Sounds like a reporter asked him a question, and he answered the question. Period. Paragraph. End of story.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 5:21 pm:
- Knome Sane -,
Family, and reaction to family issues when in the public sector, is tough enough as it is.
Quinn made a statement, Pat Quinn defended his brother, and can speak to the school, the neighborhood, the situation especially well, and Quinn does not need me or anyone else to point out these facts.
Pat quinn was talking about his brother, you can’t let him just be a brother andnot the governor for a minute.
If you think Pat Quinn was talking about his brother as Governor Pat Quinn, and not John Quinn’s brother, then when does any … any elected official get to be human about their family?
If Fenwick was a public school, and now magically lost all funding for athletic programs, or school lunches, or busing, then you have your “beef”.
I took none of that way from John Quinn’s brother upset about John Quinn’s situation. Not everything, when it comes to family, is politics.
- Excessively Rabid - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 5:31 pm:
He may well have been shabbily treated. I wouldn’t know about that. But you don’t use the governor’s office for this kind of thing. That is definitely shabby at best, more like bullying.
- Oneman - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 5:32 pm:
I am gonna give Quinn a pass on this one…
He might be the governor but at the end of the day no one has your back like your siblings.
- Stating the obvious - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 6:13 pm:
Oh, the horror! I think this thread shows what’s really wrong with politics in general. A reporter asked the Governor a question about his brother making the “news”, and he answered it as honestly as any brother who values family could.
Those who are complaining about this need to get a life, preferably outside of politics, if at all possible.
- Blockhead - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 6:27 pm:
I think what some might be irritated with, besides the public declarations about personal things, is that Quinn is moaning about what he perceives as unfair treatment, or at least implies that he feels that way. He seems to have no feelings of unfair treatment toward OTHER teachers/coaches who he now wants to ^%&$ out of their life savings–their pension income. Seems a bit off if you know what I mean.Fair for one, who cares about the other?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 6:42 pm:
===He seems to have no feelings of unfair treatment toward OTHER teachers/coaches who he now wants to ^%&$ out of their life savings–their pension income.===
Quinn said notnhing about his brother’s pension, nothing about his borther’s life savings …
I posted …
===The rest of this is political fodder for other issues that do not include Pat Quinn, his brother, Fenwick, or basketball.===
- Blockhead -…
I might just leave that “as is” …- Blockhead -.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 6:44 pm:
Above was me …stupid recycling of the Laptop.
- Blockhead - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 7:02 pm:
Missed my point.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 7:09 pm:
Nope, if others perceive as you describe, then they are missing the point that Quinn as being a brother, not making any moral question on pensions, teachers, monies …
John Quinn’s brother was sticking up for John. Nothing more. As a private school, and teaching and coaching undeer private school rules, makes any comparison to a teacher in the public sector … even teachers … moot.
When “Governor” Pat Quinn talks about the pensions, and the fair/unfair life savings, in regards to standing up for John Quinn, lemme know.
I got your point, because I don’t agree with it, or your belief of what ohters may think, doesn’t mean I don’t get it.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 7:19 pm:
Wen, bless you for your service as an educator.
I think in your hypothetical, probably nothing would have happened if my two high-school age kids are typical. They would have admired you for speaking your mind.
Besides, even if a student or a parent had a beef, I
assume you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that would well protect your rights.
- Liberty_First - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 9:06 pm:
Suddenly Quinn is concerned with how people are treated?
- LG_CFK - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 10:20 pm:
I would have to say that governor Quinn was completely out of line with his comments. As a Fenwick alumni (2008) I do not feel my school has lost its soul. In fact, Quinn is lucky to still have a job at Fenwick considering how poor of a teacher he is (no idea how he won A Golden Apple Award). Also apparently Coach Quinn recently slapped a kid who was a member of the basketball team because he was talking during morning prayers (as I have heard from my younger siblings who still attend Fenwick). Before the governor jumps to condem his school he should realise that his brother is still lucky to have a teaching position.
- Amalia - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 10:20 pm:
good for Pat. he’s bugging me lots lately, but on this, right on!
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 10:31 pm:
LG_CFK, you’re young, but do yourself a favor and brush up on your English. Your folks shelled out a lot for that Fenwick education.
- steve schnorf - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 10:45 pm:
I’ll pretty much stand with PQ on his right to say things like this in a situation like this. He isn’t proposing government policy here.
- LG_CFK - Thursday, Mar 14, 13 @ 11:41 pm:
@wordslinger the woes of studying strictly finance and accounting for four years. Perhaps you’d like to comment on what I said rather than give condescending advice.
- jake - Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 9:25 am:
The Governor spoke from the heart, completely bypassing his brain.
- Recidivist - Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 9:38 am:
His response was fine until the “lost its soul” comment. That was way overboard.
- Both Sides Now - Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 9:53 am:
@LG_CFK “apparently Coach Quinn recently slapped a kid who was a member of the basketball team because he was talking during morning prayers.” And this is a problem? I’ve always understood that a good rap on the knuckles by the nuns was standard when a student was misbehaving, not paying attention, etc. Since the Coach would expect the best from his athletes and expect them to be leaders in the school, slapping one during morning prayers at a Catholic High School neither surprises me nor seems to be a legitimate cause for dismissal.