CBC Brothers, Be Careful What You Wish For, You Just Might Get It
Cadets highest-ranked officials pull the bone head play of the century.
CBC Brothers show Bobby McCormack some tough love.
Bob McCormack Camp
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I’m still trying to figure out that whole De La Salle tradition preached by the Brothers of CBC.
Over the course of some four decades of prep reporting, I’ve seen my share of poor decisions and bone-head moves.
The Brothers at CBC get the all-time top prize for dismissing their beloved basketball coach Bobby McCormack after 17 years at the helm.
Now I’m not naive enough to believe that Bobby won the hearts and minds of everyone at the school in Town & Country. Sure, he probably rubbed a few players and parents the wrong way.
But let this be crystal clear--by refusing to renew Bobby’s basketball coaching contract and pushing him out the door after 17 years of loyal service to the Purple and Gold, the school has crossed that imaginary line in the sand. I for one never thought that would be done here at the local level.
CBC has taken up the cause of firing coaches now, just like the professionals and the collegiates. Winning is everything, nothing else matters. It’s all submerged to “what have you done for me lately.”
This smells like a stinky fish during Lent.
The Citadel on the hill, hard by Highway 40 is a private institution, competing against other high-powered schools and doesn’t have to answer to anyone.
They don’t owe sportscasters or the public any explanation. Bobby might have been released for other causes. Unless he says, we’ll never know.
Brothers, this is not going down well.
I’ve done my homework. A retired CBC teacher says now “it’s just all about winning.”
A former board member is so hacked off, he’s washed his hands of the institution.
A local female parochial school basketball coach thanks her lucky stars that her school hasn’t slipped into the win or else abyss.
A local TV sportscaster is ready to declare war on CBC.
Since CBC officials can’t seem to appreciate what Bobby McCormack did for their institution, I will:
- His first head coaching job was at Ladue. He bolted Warson Road for his alma mater, giving up better pay and a chance for a lifetime pension. It meant that much to go back to his own program.
- His college alma mater UM-St. Louis was interested in him becoming their head coach. Again, loyalty to CBC precluded his leaving.
- Bobby McCormack taught boys to become men. I cannot tell you how many youngsters I see around town proudly wearing Bobby McCormack basketball camp tee shirts.
Don’t think for a moment this decision isn’t wired. The school probably has already hired their alum Justin Tatum who learned from McCormack as one of the Cadet’s former star players.
And yes, Tatum’s son Jayson is the next super star from the area. Only thing is, he’s ready for his sophomore year at Chaminade.
The Missouri high school activities association rules preclude if a student/athlete transfers from one private school to another, they must sit out 365 days. CBC will be down in Columbia pleading a hardship case, and likely win.
They will say Jayson pays $20 grand tuition to Chaminade and will get to go to CBC for free.
So the fix might be in. The deal likely has been consumated. Be sure, the CBC Brothers will yank the lucrative summer camp contract from McCormack too.
Bobby and his brothers have served this school for decades with distinction, going back to the days on Clayton Road. And just because he didn’t beat DeSmet or Ladue this year, or win a state title, he’s gone.
Shame, shame on the Brothers at CBC.
Jeff Kihn
11:40 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
It's simply the next phase of the coup that began with the termination of Mike England as President. The small group of folks who ousted England and now Mc Cormack are truly an arrogant clique that pouts when they don't get their way, or perhaps worse, get offended when people don't recognize how 'important' they are... Exhibit 1 and 1a of that arrogance being the manner in which they removed England and McCormack. I predict it is the beginning of many poor decisions that will soon manifest themselves and launch CBC into a long period of decline.
Jim
7:02 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
GREAT article.
One of the best commentaries I have ever read.
This is a Catholic institution? My goodness, this great and loyal coach just came off of a 20-win season, and you fire him?
Huh??
will smith
7:47 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Over time, I've learned that there are multiple sides to every story and I suspect that is the case here as well. Was his job performance really as stellar as it should have been? Were players better or worse after playing for him? Perhaps there were broader reasons that his contract was not renewed - reasons we aren't privvy to. Perhaps it was just simply a time for a change and time for everyone to move on and grow. If he's as good as people think, he'll land on his feet and find another position.
John
11:40 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
This article is so biased. You are clearly only looking at one side. For one, you have no idea why they didn't renew his contract and you most likely never will. You also have no idea what he is like as a teacher in the school. You really should get your biased ass articles off this site and never write about something that you don't know the whole story to.
Jared
1:05 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
TERRIBLE article. This article just bashes on CBC and the people a part of it. Do you think that the student or teachers get a say in who stays and who goes? No. Its a select few that decide these things somewhere in a meeting of board members. So why don't you stop bashing all the people a part of CBC and stop being so arrogant. You aren't a part of the brotherhood that comes with this school so stop talking about it like you've been a part of it. Why don't you go and find something else to waste your time with.
Shaun G
1:24 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
This is THE worst misinformed article. Try actually contacting those on the inside.. You really need to get your facts straight before printing blaten lies. You do realize his kids still attend school there this does nothing but hurt the kids- now time for everyone to move on. Its a done deal. You bashing the school is not going to change it. If he is as great as you say he should gave a new job in mo time- wish him all the best!
Tom
8:22 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
James Baer, "The Baer Facts".. more like "The Baer Heavily Biased Opinion". If this is what passes for journalism on The Patch, its a wonder anyone reads it. Pathetic.
Paul Maddock
9:49 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
To the posters claiming the article is not factually based, and biased, let me ask you: 1) Are the alleged facts about McCormick leaving a higher paying, pensioned job at Ladue and turning down an offer from UMSL true?; 2) Is the allegation that Jayson Tatum will be the next head coach true?; 3) Is the allegation that Justin Tatum will transfer and claim hardship next year true?; and 4) If these alleged facts are true, is the bias you see in the article that Baer believes McCormack was a solid coach and loyal to CBC? You think a 20 win season is just something that happens? After all, didn't the "Dream Team" come to play for McCormack? He's only been there for 20 years, so good or bad, it's not like he hasn't established a reputation for who he is.
Megan Bloom
10:48 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Most likely the people that are bashing what Frank Cusamano (sp) wrote are part of the institution so these would be "biased" opinions. In all the years I've watched Frank on channel 5 news I loved him and the way he reports. He is a GREAT talent. He says it like it is, period. That's exactly what he was doing in the article he wrote!! Thanks Frank for all your entertainment in the way that you report sports!!!
Terry Mickler
11:39 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
If you don't think this was about winning and losing then consider this. Would they have fired Bobby if he would have gone on and won the state title this year?
CADETFOREVER
11:36 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Great article..thanks for getting the word out. The "Beau Show" T-shirts, player suspensions and mom's crying about playing time says it all... "me first" "team second"...no coach will win state with that group unless they or their 'mommies" change..doubtful!
CND
1:18 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2013
That is what coach had to put up with all season... He should have gotten a raise for having to deal with those insecure parents and immature players. Sad, sad, sad...
E. Witzen
2:42 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Pretty strong stuff, but you can't even get the Creve Coeur Patch to write articles about the positive things happening at Chaminade and Priory and Whitfield, so I guess any news is...
Gregg Palermo
5:46 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
E. Witzen, If you have story ideas to suggest, please send them my way. I've gone out of my way to do my best to chronicle a lot of good things going on at at those schools.
CreveCoeurDad
3:19 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
I have no dog in this fight, but it sure is entertaining. It just proves the saying by Henry Kissinger so many years ago:
"In academia, knives are so sharp because the stakes are so small."
High school basketball ranks about three tiers below academia.
We now return to our knife fight...
Scott Simon
10:12 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
What would life be like without an unsolved drama?