Former Coach says Connell player is like "A Big Teddy Bear"
CONNELL - High school basketball is finally in full swing Friday night, but all eyes are on Connell after a video of the team's hard fouls went viral this week.
KEPR spoke to locals in Connell who are dealing with negative publicity for their community.
“The other day I got a phone call, did you see that stuff on YouTube? You know I did, Oh my God, you know he's not a bad kid, I know and it's going to darken us bad,” said Connell native Ernie Cerna.
Cerna, coached the now-infamous player number 34 in wrestling when he was younger and has watched him grow up. Ernie knows firsthand this video doesn't speak to Cole Vanderbilt's true character.
“Cole's a good kid, always been nice, nice big teddy bear guy know always got something to say,” added Cerna. “That isn't the way Cole is."
KEPR spoke to the district superintendent who told us the biggest priority right now is keeping these students safe. Once labeled ‘The Dirtiest Players in all of America’ are now being cyber bullied on Facebook and other internet sources.
The superintendent explained it as this: imagine at age 17 your biggest mistake was videotaped and spread across the internet.
The North Franklin School District says Vanderbilt and teammate Kennan VanHollebeke received disciplinary action, but didn't specify what it was.
Other community members told KEPR they're concerned for the boys and say this video doesn't depict the Connell they know.
“It kind of gave us a black eye and that's not the way we are, it's just not the way we are,” added Cerna.
The games will go on, and this small community just hopes they can put this mess behind them.
KEPR spoke to locals in Connell who are dealing with negative publicity for their community.
“The other day I got a phone call, did you see that stuff on YouTube? You know I did, Oh my God, you know he's not a bad kid, I know and it's going to darken us bad,” said Connell native Ernie Cerna.
Cerna, coached the now-infamous player number 34 in wrestling when he was younger and has watched him grow up. Ernie knows firsthand this video doesn't speak to Cole Vanderbilt's true character.
“Cole's a good kid, always been nice, nice big teddy bear guy know always got something to say,” added Cerna. “That isn't the way Cole is."
KEPR spoke to the district superintendent who told us the biggest priority right now is keeping these students safe. Once labeled ‘The Dirtiest Players in all of America’ are now being cyber bullied on Facebook and other internet sources.
The superintendent explained it as this: imagine at age 17 your biggest mistake was videotaped and spread across the internet.
The North Franklin School District says Vanderbilt and teammate Kennan VanHollebeke received disciplinary action, but didn't specify what it was.
Other community members told KEPR they're concerned for the boys and say this video doesn't depict the Connell they know.
“It kind of gave us a black eye and that's not the way we are, it's just not the way we are,” added Cerna.
The games will go on, and this small community just hopes they can put this mess behind them.
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