Central Dauphin coach Jeff Sweigard was suspended by the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association), while Cumberland Valley's Dave Heckard has been benched, per decision of school administrators.
The coaches were sidelined as the result of losing control of their wrestlers -- and themselves -- in the final matches at the PIAA District 3 Class 3A team finals at Milton Hershey High School in Hershey, Pa. last Saturday night.
The incident generated considerable discussion within the Keystone State… as well as coverage well beyond Pennsylvania, as the subject for fodder from commentators of a national wrestling website, and from USA Today. Here's how the national newspaper opened its article about the incident:
"A pair of Pennsylvania coaches from traditional rivals in the Harrisburg area are under fire after a district championship meet between their schools ended in acrimony following a two-man brawl … featuring the coaches.
"As reported by PennLive.com and other sources, the District 3 Class 3A Team Wrestling Championships were brought to a premature end when Cumberland Valley head coach Dave Heckard and Central Dauphin head coach Jeff Sweigard became entangled in a brief fight following a pair of controversial disqualifications, one for each team. Cumberland Valley captured the title, 29-28 on tiebreaker, but not before Heckard and Sweigard were involved in a heated discussion that slipped into minor violence."
Jeremy Elliott of PennLive.com wrote, "Some coaches and wrestlers needed to be restrained. Harsh words and taunting were thrown back and forth between the Central Dauphin and Cumberland Valley benches and each program's fans.
"Another intense, and in this case uncomfortable, chapter in the wrestling rivalry between the Rams and Eagles ended with one team walking out of the gym and no medal ceremony taking place."
The controversy started at 160 pounds, when a Cumberland Valley wrestler illegally slammed his opponent. Central Dauphin's coach Sweigart and team trainer determined that their wrestler was unable to continue the match, resulting in an injury disqualification that gave the Central Dauphin wrestler the win.
Then in the final bout of the night, a Central Dauphin athlete poked his Cumberland Valley opponent in the eye, causing the official to pause the match. Heckard and his team trainer then determined that their wrestler was unable to continue, at which point the bout was awarded to Cumberland Valley.
That last injury DQ tied the match at 28 and the district title was awarded to Cumberland Valley due to Criterion H -- the most first points scored.
Immediately after the dual, Cumberland Valley coach Heckard said, "It was a great bout. I'm sure there is going to be some hurt feelings, but we will get over it and laugh about it someday and that will be that.
"That's how it goes. It's intense, and that's the way it goes sometimes."
Days later, the winning coach was more contrite.
"It is my job as a teacher, coach and adult to reflect the sportsmanship that I expect my athletes to adhere to on and off the mat," Heckard said in a statement.
"My actions on Saturday at the District 3 team tournament were unacceptable and are not what I want my athletes to portray at any time during an athletic competition, as a student or as future citizens. We as humans will make mistakes, as a leader of young adults it is important that they too learn lessons by how I handle the disciplinary actions set forth by the Cumberland Valley School District and Athletic Department."
Central Dauphin Athletic Director Chris Hunter told PennLive.com that he was "not allowed" to comment further on the suspension of his coach, Jeff Sweigard.
While there may be hard feelings among some of the wrestlers and fans from both programs as to some of the actions at this controversial dual, the two rivals issued a joint press release.
"The actions of the Cumberland Valley and Central Dauphin head wrestling coaches at Saturday's match do not reflect the high standards of good sportsmanship and leadership that we expect our coaches to model for our athletes.
"While these two programs have a history of extraordinary accomplishments, this public display was unacceptable. It is important for both communities to know that success does not relieve a coach of the responsibility to exercise restraint and good judgment, especially in those moments when emotions might tempt a coach to behave otherwise."
"The administrations of both the Cumberland Valley and Central Dauphin School Districts do commend our student athletes for their positive behavior on that difficult day."
To see a concise (just over a minute in length) video posted by PennLive.com which shows the controversial elements of the Cumberland Valley-Central Dauphin dual – including the two matches which ended in disqualification, and the behavior of the coaches – complete with on-screen commentary, click here.
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