Brandon University, coach end dispute with 'emeritus' designation
Last Updated: Thursday, November 9, 2006 | 6:53 PM CT
CBC News
A Brandon, Man., university professor who was also the most successful coach in Canadian university basketball history has been named "coach emeritus" by the school's board of governors, as part of an "amicable" agreement announced Thursday.
The agreement ends a grievance process the professor had launched against the school.
Jerry Hemmings had coached Brandon University's men's basketball team for nearly 30 years, leading the Bobcats to four national championships and racking up more than 730 career wins.
After being dismissed in 2003, Hemmings applied for the men's and the women's coaching positions, but was not shortlisted for either open position.
As a result, the Brandon University Faculty Association grieved the hiring process, arguing Hemmings should be given the choice of either coaching position because he was the most qualified candidate.
An arbitration hearing for Hemmings regarding three grievances was to resume next Monday, after two days of hearings in late October. During the hearings, the university administration alleged that when Hemmings coached there were academic and behavioural problems with some of the athletes.
The agreement reached between Hemmings and the university, which includes the special "coach emeritus" designation, was announced Thursday. The rest of the agreement details remain confidential.
Hemmings happy
Hemmings said Thursday he is happy to have the matter resolved, and he may consider coaching at a less competitive level.
"I really enjoy coaching. I really enjoy being able to give back to young people, because there are people that gave to me at one time," Hemmings said.
"And that's one thing that was basically a message of ... my coaching career to all my players, how important it is to give back to your communities in a positive way."
Even with the agreement, faculty association president Bruce Forrest said it was important for Hemmings to testify at the two hearing dates last month.
"You know, just in order to clear up things about a lot of rumours and gossip that have been circulating around since he'd been dismissed as coach of the men's basketball team a couple of years ago," Forrest said Thursday.
"So in that respect, I'm glad that professor Hemmings got essentially his day in court to clear things up."
Hemmings is still a tenured full professor in the university's department of physical education.
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