Haircut Bet Costs Coach
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Posted: 11:52 AM Feb 9, 2010
Haircut Bet Costs Coach
A young boy says he was humiliated in front of his teammates by his own coach. The incident involves a haircut at Yutan High School.
Reporter: WOWT
Email Address: desk@1011now.com
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A young boy says he was humiliated in front of his teammates by his own coach. The incident involves a haircut at Yutan High School.

The coach had already been suspended for two games for the incident and after a mother's complaints Monday night, he'll be more strictly supervised for the rest of the season.

Monday night, the Yutan school board met for more than two hours behind closed doors. Players say the Boys Varsity basketball coach, John Arensberg, cut a freshman's hair when he didn't score enough points in a December game.

Kristi Pietzmeier took her complaint to the full school board. She talked about the embarrassment her son felt and that he said the same haircut consequence happened to another player a week later. The teen's mother wonders what kind of message it's sending to the students when a coach only gets a suspension for this type of behavior.

"I think he should be removed form coaching any extracurricular activities. He's not a good role model. He's demonstrated poor decisions and anybody who can do that to a child shouldn't be in that situation again."

Kristi Pietzmeier is disappointed with the boards decision to allow him to keep coaching. Her son, who was upset by the haircut, remains on the team.

Yutan Superintendent Kevin Johnson tells Channel 6 News that the board also decided the coach will be supervised by either the athletic director or principal at all practices and games for the rest of the year. He wouldn't go into details since it's a personnel issue but said, in general, these types of situations often come with other stringent requirements that are never made public.

The board, as it always does, will review the coach's performance after the season.


Latest Comments

Posted by: too bad Location: Yutan on Feb 27, 2010 at 01:40 AM

The coach totally over stepped his line of an educator. The school needs to educate the teachers and coaches on not bullying their students. The coach and his wife have made many bad decisions. And they are far from leaders of the community. There is many people in Yutan that think that enough is enough. "Mead" if you want these two in your community teaching your kids, take them! Because Yutan has had enough!
Posted by: noone Location: mead on Feb 22, 2010 at 12:52 PM

i'm very glad to see that several people think is ridiculous and absurd just like my family and i do. we know both the coach and his family, and they have been nothing but great leaders in the community. this kid and his family just enrage me. to bring down 2 of the best teachers and coaches that community has for something so bizarre. i hope it all gets figured out, and that kid and his family will pay the hard way for what they have brought upon that school. yutan is going to loose 2 great people, and the community will suffer. good going cry baby. hope your 2 seconds of fame was worth it, because now everyone thinks you're a bunch of idiots.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 10, 2010 at 05:34 PM

The kid made a bet and he lost, so he cried like a baby when he had to keep his word. What a momma's boy.
Posted by: Wow Location: Nebraska on Feb 10, 2010 at 12:52 PM

Okay really?? Don't see that the kid is really all that innocent in this. He obviously had something to do with the arrangement. I have to agree with Marc really it is only hair! The great thing about it is it keeps growing it isn't permanent and I have known coaches and players to make bigger wagers than a little haircut. How ridiculous that mommy when crying to the School Board cause he made a wager with a coach and lost. Would she have been this upset if the roles were reversed I think not. Wow grow up!!!!
Posted by: Really? Location: Nebraska on Feb 10, 2010 at 09:43 AM

This is quite entertaining. First of all - sounds like this kid (or just his Mommy) needs to toughen' up! I'm sure his social status at the school has been just swell these past few days - now that Mommy's stepped in and made a mountain out of a mole hill. Come on, really? Sounds like this kid should work on his fundamentals. It's high school drama, and obviously the kid had his share in making the "bet." Sounds pretty mutual to me. Isn't it funny how Mommy's have more authority over the team these days, than the coaches. Geez. Why can't a coach be a coach with some discipline! It garners some respect! If a kid wants playing time, put in the work in the summer's and offseason to earn it - and not be afraid to take a little criticism from a coach. Suck it up! Get tough, kid . . . and tell Mommy to quit crying about your haircut. Go Yutan!
Posted by: Time for change Location: Nebraska on Feb 9, 2010 at 08:23 PM

Come on Marc!! This is a high school sport! No member of the school staff have any business, or authority to "punish" a student for his/her athletic ability! And what's with this school board and Superintendent??? Are they not aware of the impact that a role model has on students? This is in my opinion, one example of why our whole educational system needs an overhaul and fresh look. As a society, we're hiring people to educate our children who can't even conduct themselves in a reasonable and decent manner. Far too much emphasis is placed on education- not near enough on character!
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 9, 2010 at 05:47 PM

Since I have shaved my own head every day for over 20 years, I don't see the problem with this. Only a Nancy would be embarrassed in that situation.
Posted by: Marc Location: Lincoln on Feb 9, 2010 at 02:13 PM

While shaving the kids head isn't the right way to coach, come on! I missed a practice and my coach punished me. I didn't do it again. Toughen up kid. So you got you head shaved. It's just hair. Grow a back bone and work on your shots.
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