On February 11, the Deer Valley High School girls basketball began a protest just prior to the start of a game in an effort to get head coach Linsey Bailey to resign or fired.
Eight players took off its white (home) jerseys and used its black (away) jerseys as a form of protest. Shortly after the protest began, coach Bailey left the gym area so the game could be played. After Bailey left, the assistant coaches guided the team to a 67-39 loss.
The action caused 8 of 12 players to be suspended for two-games.
According to Stephanie Anello, Interim Superintendent, she offered the following explanation:
Prior to the start of last Thursday evening’s Deer Valley High School Girls’ Basketball game, several of the players were wearing the wrong colored jersey. According to DVHS administration, students reported that they planned the protest and refused to play unless the coach left.
The coach, not wanting to make a scene, asked the assistant coach to take over and left the court.
Following the incident, administration interviewed the players and coaches. According to DVHS administration, several players stated that the players participated in the protest because they wanted more individual playing time.
Administration reported that prior to and throughout the season, no complaints were filed against the coach thus they were unaware that individual players had concerns.
When asked why 8 of 12 players were suspended, Anello stated that District staff is currently reviewing the school’s investigation and response to the incident.
“Administration has confirmed that recently, a decision to suspend certain players on the women’s basketball team for two games was made at the site level. Administration is in the process of retaining an outside investigator to review the reasons for the suspensions and other matters related to the women’s basketball program,” explained Anello.
Although other media has reported parents of the athletes say it was not about playing time, but instead because they were victims of bullying by intimidation and verbal abuse from Bailey–no examples were provided. The school says during the investigation, there was nothing found to justify those claims after speaking with the players.
Deer Valley Principal Kenneth Gardner highlighted they found nothing “impropriety or unprofessional behavior becoming the coach.”
When asked about playing time, Gardner said that was determined by the coach.
“Playing time in high school sports is determined by the coach and is at the coach’s discretion based on merit, competitive needs and the skills of the players. In some of the youth leagues the rules and regulations stipulate playing time, high school sports do not,” said Gardner.
The Deer Valley High School girls basketball team concluded its season Friday night.
55 comments
If players want more playing time, don’t blame the coach, work harder and get better. It’s that simple. No issues with the suspensions.
Please don’t make a comment unless you know of what you speak. The protest had absolutely nothing to do with playing time…seriously? You really think and entire team, including the starters, protest over playing time. This is about sexual misconduct, bullying, and intimidation tactics all done by coach Bailey.
If what you are saying is true, why have a protest and not go to the police. Not one example of any of these claims has ever been provided. Sexual misconduct in what form? Bullying? The man is a coach, he is not supposed to be a friend, he is to coach and make them better. I doubt there is intimidation, its the coaches way or the highway. Everyone should stop being so sensitive. I hope ECT does put out what any parent sends them and if they don’t send anything, he should say that to.
Anyone foolish enough to believe 8 female players would protest because 2 weren’t getting enough time is foolish. The STARTERS planned the protest. The protest was due to numerous parents and players complaints of bullying, sexual misconduct and intimidation tactics. The schools “investigation” after the matter consisted of questioning 3 players…3. The principal is a flat out liar and is doing everything he can to cover this up.
I welcome you to email us more details at [email protected]
I certainly will. Once the girls side of this is told it will shed some light on the level of corruption at Deer Valley and what levels they will stoop to in order to cover up the truth.
They should be kicked off the team. The only “I” in team is found in the A-hole. Looks like they have 8 A-holes…
Since you clearly have no clue as to why this occurred I will educate you. 8 young girls grew tired of bullying, sexual misconduct, and intimidation tactics by a head coach who was previously fired for doing the same at Alhambra after 1 year. Get the facts before you call under age girls names.
This is what our society is coming to. You can’t protest playing time. High school is competative and not everybody is going to start or even play. As Jim said, work harder to earn that playing time. The coaches dedicate so much time to teams and get little pay for it. Look what happened, they got their asses handed to them by almost 30 points. Looks like another black eye to Deer Valley High School and AUSD.
I would like to know if these protesting girls thought they should be starting or just simply wanted more playing time. Any players or player families out there willing to answer?
This is America, non-violent protest is never respected or tolerated.
If there have been issues there is a proper time and process for such complaints. The way in which they chose to address issues was wrong time wrong place wrong way to handle the so called “problems”. Allegations of sexual misconduct is serious and should be address by the parents in a different forum.
They reported complaints to the administration. This has been going on since the summer. Complaints were made to Deer Valley admin about sexual misconduct, bullying and intimidation. Not one complaint but several from at least half the team. These complaints fell on deaf ears with fake internal investigations and lies told back to the girls. When they had enough they did the protest as a last resort in order to be heard. You have no idea how scared they were and how hard it was for them to do that. Now the principal is lying making them victims of his cover up. These girls have been victimized enough. Leave them the hell alone.
Let me get this straight.. U claim these 8 girls were protesting sexual misconduct and bullying… Their plan was to turn their shirts inside out in protest??? Really??? Why weren’t the police called??? If they were sooooooo scared as u claim… Why play???? I’m just not buying ur allegations and hope u don’t get sued for slander!
There is no objective criteria to claim one form of protest is “wrong” or not, especially since no real harm was caused to anyone during the act. It seems in America most people don’t tolerate protest unless you’re MLK or Gandhi. Perhaps these athletes were using the tactic of public embarrassment to get a message across?
@ORIGINALIST45, You don’t know sh*t about the situation so you need to shut the f**k up, you dumb f**ks are just going to believe one side of the story. There were no parents or kids interviewed for this story so don’t comment on s**t you know nothing about.
If your team doesn’t want you, it’s a pretty clear message you ought to leave regardless of the reason. Democracy demands that you step down. This goes for mayors, presidents, city councilmen, police officers, teachers…any authoritarian figure deviating from the law within their position in society.
These athletes claim abuse, which is a perfectly sensible reason to have a mutiny. The commonfolk of America are still locked in the mind-prisons of the past apparently. They will never tolerate non-violent protest, let alone female protesters.
The superintendent, shouldn’t be commenting on anything, or the rest of you just believing what you read, there were plenty of complaints made to DV Administration they just chose to sit on it. @Originalist45 your mother is a a**hole.
Jim Simmons said it correctly! “Don’t blame the coach, work harder and get better. It’s that simple.”
This applies to everything in life.
@George shut the F**k up because you and Jim Simmons are uniformed.
Your comment is uninformed (note the extra “n”)…you have them suiting up to play right now.
Do you really think that kind of comment makes friends or influences people? It doesn’t…honest.
If there was sexual misconduct then it should have been reported to the police. I would never let my kids be subjected to stuff like what is being claimed. How could something like this go on for 6-8 months without the parents making any waves. If the parents got no response from the school then why not go to the district. If no action from the district then why not go to the media.
The individual complaints of sexual misconduct stayed at the school level and other parents were never told. Each case was covered up and “investigated” by the school and now outside agencies were ever brought in. The coach was allowed by the school to have closed practices where parents were not allowed to attend so parents never communicated with one another. The protest brought everything out in the open and that is when all the parents found out about the covered up complaints. Then instead of having a full scale investigation they decide to lie about the reason for the protest and suspend the girls instead of removing the coach.
Truth buster. You have relayed no information. If there is a crime then you should
Call the police. I see a lot of hot air so far. I am an outside looking in an do not believe what you are saying. Before you throw out the fbombs or asshole this or that. Show something. People like to believe something is happening but I just don’t see it so far. Fill us in with something fro. aatreue nam, instead of ” the truth buster”.
Somehow YOU TB are the only one in this entire world that is all knowing about this situation…. If you knew about the issues… Why not go to the police? Go to the media? Go to ur congressman? The only plan is to turn shirts around???? Sure…. Keep telling everyone they are ignorant and calling people names….it’s working! Smdh
First, none of my comments have any profanity so not sure why you are associating “F-bombs” to me. Second the aforementioned sexual misconduct claim is not a physical one, it was a complaint of the coach showing pornographic material to individual players in private quarters using his cell phone. No witnesses, his word against a single student…on 4 different occassions. Believe what you like. I’m not trying to convince you. At this point I am simply fed up with the school lying about why they protested in the first place. That is the only reason I put the truth out there. Those young ladies were victims, believe it or not, this had absolutely NOTHING to do with playing time.
Sorry truth buster, I thought it was your post that had the fbombs and such. My bad.
if any of this is true then why aren’t any of the parents speaking out here?
If you haven’t guessed yet parents have spoken here.
It is sad how long it takes and this kind of exposure to get a real investigation going.
Not sure whats going on with the DVHS basketball team. However they suspended the DVHS girls varsity volleyball coach this year. Why? Parent and Kids complaints, however Politics most likely the reason.
If a crime has been committed!! Then most certainty the police were call, right basketball parents?
Deer Valley “handled” the matter internally and did not involve the police as with the situation with the volleyball coach. The dust has yet to settle on this situation. Due to the lack of action by Deer Valley admin parents have now filed reports with the district office. Hopefully the independent investigator will question the entire team instead of the 3 girls that Deer Valley question in their “full” investigation…3 out of 15. Stay tuned.
If there is a police matter that needs to be handled, the parents do not have to allow the school to settle it, they can go to the police or get a lawyer. At this point, arguing on the internet is a waste of time, either go do something with the facts or move on.
Wow! All this venom over a high school sport. Not a required activity by the way. Coaching is usually a thankless job. Coaching parents and children in poverty is the worse position to be in. A Saint would have moments of tears during the season. The fact that the players resorted to “protest” is enough evidence Linsey Bailey doesn’t have what it takes to be called coach.
I agree Bailey does not deserved to be called coach. Just last year Alhambra High abruptly fired him for abusive behavior. Not sure what you mean by the poverty comment Deer Valley is in a very nice suburb. I have a six figure job and 7 bedroom house so it’s hardly a poverty stricken area. Also the girls involved in the protest are Honors students with good grades. When the girls side of the story comes out I just hope it’s a wake up call for the district to monitor the actions of it’s principals a little more closely.
Bailey was not fired from Alhambra for abusive behavior. Bailey was fired for lying in his resume and ultimately fired so that the AD at Alhambra (Ertola) could hire his son as the head coach. Bailey led Alhambra to their first playoff run in 10 years and was abruptly fired because the AD at Alhambra felt that his son as an assistant coach was treated wrongly so he made it a point to fire Bailey and hire his son Ertola. If you dont think this is true, then look to Alhambras record
Glad we can agree Bailey is a liar. Thanks for confirming.
I have seen Bailey’s lack of coaching skill first hand. During DV varsity campaign he had zero film sessions despite having access to DVD’s of every single game and key opponents. His lack of knowledge for offensive and defensive basketball are laughable. His players didn’t even know what system he was attempting to implement. His in-game adjustments didn’t exist. No conditioning regimen for the team. He was severely under qualified for the position…glaringly so. Worst coach I have ever seen at this level. Let him go away and infect someone else’s school. I want him far, far away from my city.
You are just too bizarre… You obviously have some agenda towards this coach and all the BS like the “sexual misconduct” is fabricated so someone will listen to you… Bc u are just dismissive about ur allegations about the coach showing the girls pornagraphic pics… U mention that like one time but his skills as a coach… Boy, you are pissed that he doesn’t have the quality you want for your daughter! I hope the truth comes out about this and this coach gets his day to slander u back!
First, the school has a record of the sexual misconduct complaint, they chose not to share that FACT with the media for obvious reasons. Second, the only thing I am upset about is the school allowing someone like Bailey in their employ around my child. I could care less about his coaching credentials, my child is an honor student. Your opinion is based on your lack of information. Hopefully you will continue to follow this story because when the girls tell their side I look forward to your comments.
Look…. I think ur allegation of sexual misconduct is a bunch of crap… It pisses me off that women aren’t believed when they are truly abused bc of people like yourself that are just trying to get back at some guy for… As in this case… Not getting enough playing time for basketball???? Wow.. Pls rethink your slanderous comments… I hope this coach is reading this and figures out who you are to take you to court for slander! It’s completely disgusting what you are doing.
The most telling sign that Deer Valley mishandled this entire situation is the FACT that the district hired an independent investigator to find the truth.
So Reliable are you telling us that Bailey was treating people wrong at Alhambra, which I believe is one of the complaints from the Deer Valley parents.
Oh yeah Reliable just because Alhambra made the playoffs when Bailey was there doesn’t necessarily reflect what kind of coach he was. It was probably a good year for talent, with that being said you could have coached them to the playoffs.
People on the outside who want to judge these girls and parents really need to ask themselves how these girls feel about the comments they are making hurt the children involved. This judgment is the very reason the girls took so long to speak out. The reports made to the school by players and parents were their word against his, and hard to prove since he denied it. Since know one knew I was a pattern of behavior due the the secretly conducted meetings most parents were not able to make an informed decision. Some of these girls have been playing basketball since 2nd grade and love the game, quitting something you love is harder than you can think. Reporting or leaving a bad situation even for adults it hard. They believed that the administration would help them and have been let down. After seeing other girls take a stand by quitting their basketball team at Liberty High school in Brentwood on the Tuesday before the protest, they came up with a non-violent, peaceful way to come together to stand up for each against this coach. They were brave!
It could not possibly be about playtime when 3 of the players were starters who played at least 3/4 of the minutes in most games. The sexual misconduct acts such as watching porn on his phone while in the presence of the girls and leaving it where it could be seen, unwelcomed touching of thighs and butt slaps, arms around the girls, whispering comments in the ear of a non-black teammate “I’m sure this is not the first time you’ve had a black man’s arms around you” then trying to act like it was a joke. Do you know how often this type of behavior goes on unreported all the time? Proving it is very difficult especially when all the incidents aren’t made public. Yes, some people are brave enough to go to the police, but should they be condemned for thinking that the school administration would protect them??
Even now that the administration does know, they are still covering for this Coach, more concerned about his embarrassment than protecting these girls. This Linsey Bailey is still allowed to teach at Antioch Middle. Are they aware he lied on his application at Alhambra?? The system seems to work well at protecting the adults, but who is protect our children???
@WTF, you need to shut the F**k up because you don’t know what these girls went through. Sounds like your part of the administration or your just mad because your kids keep getting cut.
“WTF” is obviously a troll and part of DV administration. You should be ashamed of yourself. You know for a fact players reported the coach for sexual misconduct. It’s on record. Know need for me to make it up. Anyone who believes the principals lies about playing time just consider this, the protest was planned by the STARTERS, it has absolutely nothing to do with playing time and everything to do with how these girls were treated.
How sad for u both… I’m an avid reader of ECT and a concerned citizen esp when it comes to people who try to abuse actual victims of sexual crimes with false obvious lies…. Now the claims are from showing the girls porn to racial claims! WTF????? How far are you willing to go????? As has been said by multiple people in this thread…. If sexual abide ACTUALLY happened…. File a police report!!!!! A “quiet, nonviolent protest” by these girls is brave as if they are Rosa Parks or something… Give me a break!
You are the typical parents that probably never made a varsity team and/or rode the bench and now are trying to live through your children…. Teach your children actually to report true crimes not false accusations bc they feel they weren’t given a fair shot…. How sad for the future.
You sound very upset considering this doesn’t involve you. Very clear to see you have an agenda Mr. Gardner. Don’t be upset because you’ve been outed as a troll. When the independent investigator reveals the truth I’ll be eagerly awaiting your comments. This has nothing to do with race. Typical troll trying your best to shift the subject. First you blamed the children, now you blame the parents. Funny how you are protecting a coach you claim you don’t know…
I’m a troll for reading ECT??? I think you shld take a hard look at yourself as you are a loser troll that has to comment on EVERYONES comments here and minutes later…. You obviously have no life but to make up viscous lies against people like this coach who has given his time and energy for little pay or glory …. Only to get some loser troll to smear his name all over ECT and I bet elsewhere!
I feel bad for you and your obvious misguided daughter.
Your comments make your trolling very obvious. My child makes this my business and my child is my agenda…what’s your hidden agenda TROLL? Or should I just call you Mr Bailey. You’ve been made so now WTFFFFF?
You are a true idiot…. As with this situation with the girls… You make crap up… I’m no one you know… Just read ECT. Pathetic describes you to the “T”!
Linsey Bailey smeared his own name when he lied on his resume to Alhambra and got fired and when he decided to bully, intimidate and show pornographic material to underaged girls. That sounds like a scum to me. Sounds like you a much more than an ECT reader WTF…much more. Happy trolling….
When I read the comments from some of you it appears you have lost site of the fact that we are discussing an act carried out by children who felt they had no other choice. That in itself should be looked at and investigated by the district. The health and welfare of the children should be the number one concern. This article only addresses what the administration thinks. It doesn’t give the kids side or their parents. That is unfair and one sided. Let’s look after these girls and make sure they are ok.
Great comment Concerned Parent because WTF is a Dumb F**k talking out of his A**, his stupid A** hasn’t heard from the girls or the parents like you said.
Boss K and TF…. I’ve said it before and now will repeat myself…. You both are from the same mold…. Sad, ignorant, pathetic parents that teach kids to slander instead of responsibility. If this coach was all that you claim, you and… These young adults… Need to report these criminal activities to protect other young girls… But there wasn’t any criminal activity here…. You just threw in the racial and sexual BS to make the story louder than it was …. That being that u just don’t like this coach and the decisions he has made… You are even stalking him from a previous job in Alhambra????? I hope one day someone exposes ALL your previous jobs and life events and critiques them as you have for this guy. I stand by my statements that you both were prob nobodies in high school, rode the bench, and are equally nobodies in adulthood. I’m done with losers like yourselves… Hope the truth comes out.
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