Lynn English’s Buzzy Barton penalized

Can’t coach in tourney

By Dan Ventura | Saturday, February 20, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Other High School
The Lynn English boys basketball team will get a chance to defend its sectional and Eastern Mass. titles.

The Bulldogs just won’t do it with their head coach, Buzzy Barton.

After listening to testimony Feb. 12 from East Boston headmaster Mike Rubin regarding Lynn English’s recruitment of former Jet Cory McMillan, a hearing board consisting of seven members from districts A and B agreed unanimously that Rule 44 of the MIAA Rulebook had been violated.

The biggest victim was Barton. As part of the punishment, Barton is ineligible to coach in the upcoming state tournament and must sit out either 10 games or 50 percent of next season’s schedule, whichever is greater. Barton can run practices, but must attend an MIAA coaches program before returning.

“This is unbelievable,” Barton said. “I think the punishment is unacceptable. I’m clearly not happy with this. It’s very unfair.”

Lynn English athletic director Gary Molea was surprised with the severity of the punishment. While he expected some sanctions against his staff, Molea thought it was an extremely stiff sentence.

“We were prepared for some things, but not this,” Molea said. “I have spoken to my principal (Andy Fila) and we are planning to appeal the punishment. I can see doing something about this year, but punishing Buzzy into next year is a little too much in my opinion.”

The committee also voted 7-0 on the additional punishments: 1) assistant coach Simmie Anderson, whom Rubin figured as the chief recruiter, is ineligible until further notice from coaching any MIAA inter-scholastic sport team; 2) Lynn English principal (Fila) will be sent a letter of reprimand citing his culpability in the recruitment of a student; and 3) a letter will be sent to Molea instructing him to work with the Superintendent of Schools (Catherine Latham) to establish clear guidelines in regards to residency and the transfer of students in and out of Lynn schools.

Fila is in Florida and was unavailable for comment.

There had been some talk that the team, which is 19-1 and seeded second in the upcoming Division 1 North state tournament, could face penalties. But committee members were swayed by Rubin’s comments at the meeting, insisting the players shouldn’t be punished for actions of the administration.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/general/view.bg?articleid=1234191