Pendolino dismisses online criticism

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November 19, 2008

By T.J. Turrisi The Meadville Tribune Wed Nov 19, 2008, 11:55 PM EST

On Thursday, Nov. 13 an anonymous public forum was started on the Meadville Tribune Web site under the topic ‘We need to get rid of Pendo as the coach of the Bulldog football team NOW.’

As of 10 p.m. Wednesday, 112 posts had been made with a total of 4,055 views.

Some of the posts have been off-topic but most have been critical of Meadville Area Senior High head football coach Mike Pendolino’s coaching decisions and abilities.

Pendolino has coached the Bulldogs for six seasons and completed a 6-5 campaign which included their first playoff appearance in 10 years. The Bulldogs, however, ended the season with losses in five of the last seven games, including a 35-14 loss to District 10 Class AAA champion Strong Vincent in the D-10 semifinals. Pendolino has a 17-41 record in his career with Meadville, but has been .500 or better the last two seasons (5-5 in 2007 and 6-5 in 2008).

Pendolino said he had heard about the forum, but has not viewed it because the posts are mostly anonymous.

“I heard about it briefly,” he said. “I don’t read those things. They’re pretty much anonymous. I can’t even begin to put a word to it.”

Some of the anonymous posters had mentioned the possibility of organizing a petition as well as a visit to the school board to talk about their concerns.

To the knowledge of Meadville football booster club president Mike Kalustian, no one has taken action to organize yet.

Booster club member Nick Loiacona, whose son Anthony just finished his senior season, did have a chance to view the Web site.

“I looked at it, but I really don’t get involved with it,” he said. “I think it’s sad. If I have something to say, I say it to someone’s face.

“I like Mike,” he added. “I have known him for a number of years. I think he’s got good morals. From what I see, he never swears at the kids. He’s there on time. He’s respectful. Personally ... I don’t know if I could put up with all the hassles (Pendolino does).

“Some people blame the coach, and I don’t think that’s a fair statement, honestly. They are high school kids. That’s the bottom line.”

The identity of the topic-starter, who is posting under the screen name “FirePendo,” is unknown but he/she has made 19 posts including one claiming to have e-mailed members of the school board and urging other concerned parents of players to do the same.

Crawford Central School District board president Ross Prather did not return a message seeking comment.

T.J. Turrisi can be reached at 724-6370, ext. 276 or by e-mail at tjturrisi@meadvilletribune.com.

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