Spring Cove Should Keep Playing 'ReggieBall'

The motto for Central Dragon basketball is, “We Play ReggieBall.”

How much longer the Dragons continue to use that phrase may be decided on Tuesday, May 21.

That evening, at 6 o’clock in the Spring Cove Middle School auditorium in Roaring Spring, the Spring Cove School Board will hold a public hearing at the request of a non-professional employee of the district who has been recommended by the board for termination. Due to confidentiality requirements, the school board is unable to release the name of the employee involved in the hearing.

However, the non-professional employee is believed to be Central varsity boys’ basketball coach Reggie Nevins, a retired district teacher who has coached Dragon basketball for 27 seasons. During that span, Nevins has won 452 games, the most by a boys’ coach in Blair County history. Nevins retired in 2013 as a math teacher at Spring Cove Middle School, after completing 37 years of service to the district.

The reason Nevins has come under fire allegedly stem from comments made to the Altoona Mirror following Central’s loss to Huntingdon on Feb. 23. The comments upset the District 6 basketball committee and the Spring Cove School Board.

Following the loss to the Bearcats in the District 6 Class 4A final, Nevins said he was upset that the Dragons had to play Tyrone on Thursday, Feb. 21, and turn right around and play Huntingdon two days later. A snowstorm pushed the Tyrone game back one day from Feb. 20.

Nevins was quoted in the Altoona Mirror as saying that just one day between games was a “very poor job by our district committee. It’s bad enough that we only get one team to go to states, but then to come back here a day and a half after you already played, I think is just ridiculous. I know they say they care about the kids, but obviously they couldn’t care less about the kids. We got a whole week next week, and we could have played any day at any venue.”

Nevins was only speaking his opinion following the Dragons’ 40-27 defeat in the district championship game. The last we checked, an individual has the freedom of speech.

A sports correspondent for the Herald, Nevins said afterward, “The sad part is the season is over. These guys went 18-6 and really deserve to advance into states.”

The passionate Nevins cares for his players, not only on the court but off, too. In addition to coaching the fundamentals of basketball to past and current players during the seasons and at summer camps, he has taught them life lessons and how to grow into fine citizens. He is a role model for the students of the district.

Members of the District 6 basketball committee didn’t take too kindly to Nevins’ comments, especially being accused of not caring for students. The committee then reached out to Spring Cove upon hearing Nevins’ accusation.

According to the committee, when it comes to coaches offering public criticism it lets school districts handle situations internally. If the committee is satisfied with the decision, there is typically no need for further discipline or for the committee to speak with the coach or school.

The Spring Cove School District has more important issues to address than to discuss the termination of someone who has given his all to the district and always has the best interest of the students.

Nevins told the Morrisons Cove Herald that “the support my family has received is unbelievable. We are beyond thankful and terribly emotional over the situation. Hopefully ... we can get beyond this. It’s taking a toll on so many people.”

Hopefully the school board will stand up for Nevins as he has for the students of Spring Cove.