Sports

Superintendent: Rotanz dismissal ‘my decision’

RACHEL YOUNG PHOTO  |  Shoreham-Wading River Superintendent Steve Cohen.
RACHEL YOUNG FILE PHOTO | Shoreham-Wading River Superintendent Steven Cohen.

In the wake of Tuesday night’s announcement that Shoreham-Wading River lacrosse coach Tom Rotanz would not be rehired for the upcoming spring season after 19 years, school superintendent Steven Cohen wrote a letter to the families and team members of the boys lacrosse team seeking to explain his decision.

In the letter, which the News-Review obtained a copy, Mr. Cohen said the decision was solely his and not the Board of Education’s.

Mr. Cohen admitted he was unlikely to sway the staunch supporters of coach Rotanz, who guided the Wildcats to three state championships in his tenure, but he hoped to shed light on the decision.

“Co-curricular positions for coaching, clubs and other activities are not positions of entitlement, tenure or popularity,” Mr. Cohen wrote. “Obviously, the historical record of employment of a candidate is a meaningful consideration in any evaluation, but it is not the only one or even the determining one.”

Mr. Cohen reiterated that his decision was not influenced by any playing time or treatment of specific individuals.

“But as a practice, it is legally required that I remain silent about the employment files of all employees,” Mr. Cohen wrote.

It is unclear who will take over the program, which coach Rotanz started coaching in its second year in 1995.

To read the entire letter, click below:

Cohen Letter to SWR lacrosse team