LI Football Coach Suspended For Running Up Score

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Plainedge High School football coach Rob Shaver was suspended for a game after a sportsmanship committee determined he ran up the score against an opponent in a recent game. Newsday reported Shaver is the first varsity coach suspended under the rule, which has been in place for three seasons in Nassau County. The rule says a coach who wins by more than 42 points must submit a letter detailing the actions he or she took to stop from running up the score.

The action was related to the Plainedge Red Devils' 61-13 win over South Side High School on Friday. In a letter to the community, Plainedge schools Superintendent Edward Salina came to Shaver's defense, calling the Lopsided Score Committee a "kangaroo court."

"What are you teaching children by saying play fairly but now you are playing too well, don’t play anymore for the rest of the game. Where’s the life lessons?" Salina wrote. "Of course we don’t want to embarrass others and we do that by moderating the players in the game. I’ve seen it numerous times over the years, by all our coaches, but especially by Coach Shaver."

Salina said that he and Shaver decided not to appeal the decision because if they lost the appeal, Shaver would be suspended from coaching the finals.

"My message to the players that are disappointed that Coach Shaver will not be on the sidelines this week, 'be strong, play hard and always be fair,' make Coach Shaver, your coaches, parents and community members proud when you take the field this week," Salina wrote. "Do what you came to do, play ball and may the best team win."

Read Salina's entire letter.