Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, August 16, 2002 ‘No widespread abuse’ found Ad hoc commission on sports issues report on high schools in the six diocesan high schools. But the five-member commission, which issued a unanimous report following a six-month review process, agreed that there are issues that need attention. The “Executive Summary of the Findings of the Ad Hoc Commission on Athletics in Diocesan High Schools” reviewed all aspects of diocesan athletic programs, The ad hoc commission was asked to “highlight those areas which best support and advance the mission of Catholic education and to identify any aspect of the programs which require alignment with that mission.” The complete text of the commission’s report is found on Page 12. The Executive Summary has been voluntarily submitted to the Ohio High School Athletic Association and is being released to the public. The commission was chaired by Msgr. John Ashton, pastor of Campbell St. Lucy Parish. Other members included Edward L. Batanian of the Ohio High School Athletic Association and secretary of the Northeast District Athletic Board, Ashtabula; Laurence F. Bove, Ph.D., professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Walsh University in North Canton; Victoria S. Conley, executive director, Sisters of Charity Foundation, Canton; and Mary Beth Houser, Esq., attorney-at-law from Newman, Olson & Kerr, Youngstown. Wallace J. Dunne served as a representative of the Office of Catholic Schools. According to Dunne, some of the commission’s recommendations will be implemented immediately, while others will require further study and planning prior to full implementation. Accepting the report of the commission, Bishop Tobin said: “I approve the recommendations of the commission and charge the Office of Catholic Schools with oversight responsibility for their implementation. The excellent work of the commission will assure the alignment of athletic programs with the mission of Catholic Education. The results of this process will be increased cooperation among diocesan high schools, and clarification of the public image of their athletic programs.” Bishop Tobin convened the commission to answer allegations that improper activities were taking place in some of the high school athletic programs, as well as to ensure that the mission of Catholic education, not athletic programs, remained the primary focus of the diocesan high schools. The four phases of the commission’s work involved gathering information, interviewing key persons in each school, studying the resulting information and presenting a written report to Bishop Tobin. The latter occurred on June 11, 2002. Noting that “the six Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Youngstown are excellent institutions,” the commission report praised the administration, faculty and staff for “doing an outstanding job at fulfilling their responsibilities of providing an education in a Catholic environment. They are to be commended,” the commission added, “for their energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the cause of Catholic education. They work under limiting circumstances but their exuberance for the cause of Catholic education and the achievement of the students entrusted to their care knows no bounds.” The report praised “wonderful students, dedicated parents and appreciative alumni.” But the commission also wrote that, while it found “no widespread abuses of recruitment, scholarship or eligibility polices,” it discovered issues that need immediate attention. It also listed general recommendations and items needing attention at the individual schools. Areas cited as needing immediate attention included building a sense of community, boundaries, athletic organizations, and financial aid. General recommendations were made in the areas of grade point average for athletic participation; coaching staffs; a publicity campaign; and a financial analysis for monitoring athletic expenses for the six-school system. Specific recommendations of the commission are to be found in the complete text of the document on Page 12.   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001