Post by riverhawkfan22 on Apr 4, 2007 9:21:40 GMT -5
Financial concerns a factor in Folmar’s resignation
by SAMUEL LEGG
The Tribune-Democrat
Things looked rosy for the 3-2 Johnstown Riverhawks following back-to-back victories and a vote of confidence along with some financial backing from the American Indoor Football Association just a few weeks ago.
But after a pair of road losses, mounting injuries and player defections from the third-year franchise, Steven G. Folmar resigned as coach on Tuesday.
“I should have left a month ago, but I kept hanging in there for the players, hoping something was going to change,” Folmar said on Tuesday. “It never changed. Things continually got worse.
“My bills aren’t getting paid. I’m working but I’m not getting paid, I’m not getting paid on time. So I had to make a decision as far as my future.”
Riverhawks co-owner James Wallace and General Manager Quenteen Robinson did not return repeated calls seeking comment.
League co-owner John Morris was surprised and disappointed at Folmar’s resignation Tuesday, but said he had no hard feelings.
“As far as him saying we didn’t pay him, that’s not true. He’s been paid,” Morris said. “Maybe it was something I didn’t know about.”
Morris said the league will continue to help the Riverhawks’ organization.
He said the team is searching for a new coach and could make an announcement as early as tonight.
“We plan on supporting these guys and getting them in the playoffs,” Morris said. “If we can get a couple of local coaches in there, if we can do that, maybe it will be better in the long run.”
Former Johnstown coach and General Manager Brian Basile, owner of the Pizza-Deli Six Pack in the Kernville section of the city, sued the Riverhawks’ organization last year. At a Dec. 20 hearing before District Judge Michael Musulin, Basile won a judgment of $3,950.
Folmar was in his first year with the Riverhawks after coaching the Raleigh Rebels last season in the American Indoor Football League.
Following Johnstown’s 47-42 loss at expansion Pittsburgh on March 31, Folmar let his hand show.
“When you’re forced to suit up five or six guys that shouldn’t be on the field, I want to be mad. But how do I go screaming at a bunch of kids who shouldn’t even be out here,” said Folmar after Friday’s loss to the RiverRats at Rostraver Ice Garden. “That’s the situation I’m in now.
“Something’s got to give, that’s all there is to it. I have 19 guys now – total – that’s it. Everybody has either quit or whatever.
“From the top down, we’ve got to step back and take a real-hard look at our organization. I need players. I don’t need townies calling saying, ‘I played back in 1985’ or something. I need guys just out of college who are going to make this team better.”
Things could get worse before improving.
North Division leading Reading rolls into town Saturday night for a 7 p.m. game at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
The Express (6-1) have won four in a row and are 3-1 on the road.
www.tribune-democrat.com/cnhi/tribunedemocrat/sports/local_story_093235358.html?keyword=secondarystory
by SAMUEL LEGG
The Tribune-Democrat
Things looked rosy for the 3-2 Johnstown Riverhawks following back-to-back victories and a vote of confidence along with some financial backing from the American Indoor Football Association just a few weeks ago.
But after a pair of road losses, mounting injuries and player defections from the third-year franchise, Steven G. Folmar resigned as coach on Tuesday.
“I should have left a month ago, but I kept hanging in there for the players, hoping something was going to change,” Folmar said on Tuesday. “It never changed. Things continually got worse.
“My bills aren’t getting paid. I’m working but I’m not getting paid, I’m not getting paid on time. So I had to make a decision as far as my future.”
Riverhawks co-owner James Wallace and General Manager Quenteen Robinson did not return repeated calls seeking comment.
League co-owner John Morris was surprised and disappointed at Folmar’s resignation Tuesday, but said he had no hard feelings.
“As far as him saying we didn’t pay him, that’s not true. He’s been paid,” Morris said. “Maybe it was something I didn’t know about.”
Morris said the league will continue to help the Riverhawks’ organization.
He said the team is searching for a new coach and could make an announcement as early as tonight.
“We plan on supporting these guys and getting them in the playoffs,” Morris said. “If we can get a couple of local coaches in there, if we can do that, maybe it will be better in the long run.”
Former Johnstown coach and General Manager Brian Basile, owner of the Pizza-Deli Six Pack in the Kernville section of the city, sued the Riverhawks’ organization last year. At a Dec. 20 hearing before District Judge Michael Musulin, Basile won a judgment of $3,950.
Folmar was in his first year with the Riverhawks after coaching the Raleigh Rebels last season in the American Indoor Football League.
Following Johnstown’s 47-42 loss at expansion Pittsburgh on March 31, Folmar let his hand show.
“When you’re forced to suit up five or six guys that shouldn’t be on the field, I want to be mad. But how do I go screaming at a bunch of kids who shouldn’t even be out here,” said Folmar after Friday’s loss to the RiverRats at Rostraver Ice Garden. “That’s the situation I’m in now.
“Something’s got to give, that’s all there is to it. I have 19 guys now – total – that’s it. Everybody has either quit or whatever.
“From the top down, we’ve got to step back and take a real-hard look at our organization. I need players. I don’t need townies calling saying, ‘I played back in 1985’ or something. I need guys just out of college who are going to make this team better.”
Things could get worse before improving.
North Division leading Reading rolls into town Saturday night for a 7 p.m. game at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
The Express (6-1) have won four in a row and are 3-1 on the road.
www.tribune-democrat.com/cnhi/tribunedemocrat/sports/local_story_093235358.html?keyword=secondarystory
