August 6, 2009
Duxbury opts to bring back coach
by Staff Report/
Upon further review, Chris Sweet will be coaching the Duxbury (Mass.) boys again next spring, his 15th season with the Green Dragons.
“I had a very productive meeting with the superintendent, who took the time to look at the situation and realized it was all a big misunderstanding,” Sweet told the Boston Herald. “Then she realized the best thing to do for the program was to renew my contract.”
Sweet has led Duxbury to state Division 1 titles in seven of the past eight seasons. But on July 20, according to a report in the Duxbury Clipper, Duxbury school committee members George Cipolletti and John Heinstadt said superintendent Sue Skeiber told the board that Sweet’s contract wouldn't be renewed.
According to the Herald, Skeiber was swayed in July by complaints from some in Duxbury who were critical of Sweet’s decision to put freshmen on the team and cut upperclassmen. But since Skeiber's decision was publicized, many in the lacrosse community rallied in support of the coach, who has led the Green Dragons to six straight state titles.
“While I haven’t been officially notified, I have no reason to doubt (Sweet will remain the Duxbury coach),” athletic director Thom Holdgate told the Herald. “For all the stress this has caused Chris and his family, I’m just happy something more final has been resolved.”
