Absegami Teacher Goodwin, Supporters Want Answers from Greater Egg Board of Education

Greg Goodwin, lacrosse players and parents, and members of the community want answers.

The Greater Egg Harbor Regional Board of Education voted against approving, Goodwin, a longtime Absegami coach and teacher, as a boys' lacrosse volunteer coach.

The request to hire Goodwin was supported by Superintendent of Schools
Steven Ciccariello, Absegami Principal Jerri-Lynn Gatto and school athletic
director Steve Fortis, but the Board of Education voted against the
recommendations.

Now, Goodwin and his supporters want to know why.

Messages to Board President John Houck and Board Solicitor Lou Greco were not returned.

"I really don't know, to be perfectly honest with you," Goodwin
said.

"I thought it was laughable that the board would take this course of
action and not explain themselves," said Absegami union representative
Mark Glickstein, who was a girls' basketball assistant coach under Goodwin.

Players, coaches and parents at the Board
of Education meeting on March 6 at Absegami High School.

The issue was not on the agenda, but the supporters expressed their opinions during the public portion of the meeting.

"I would say from the union perspective, I have full faith that the
board will do the right thing and reverse their decision," Glickstein said.
"That's what I think at this time."

Goodwin helped form the Absegami High School program four years ago and was part of the coaching staff for two years.

The longtime coach, who started his career at St. James (now closed) in
Salem County before coaching at his alma mater Millville High School, has a long and successful coaching resume. He is among the most successful coaches in school history and among the best basketball coaches in the state.

He led the Absegami girls' basketball team to two state titles and five
sectional crowns while winning 275 games. The New Jersey Coaches and South Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame member has also coached Absegami boys' basketball, tennis and freshmen football.

Goodwin became vice principal for 2010-11, but left the position at the
end of the year to go back to the classroom for the current school year.

That seemingly left open the possibility of returning to the sidelines to
aid head coach Scott Winneberger. However, the Board of Education thinks
otherwise.

"Speaking strictly as a parent, frankly Greg Goodwin has had an impeccabl
career and impeccable reputation," said Laura Peek, the mother of junior lacrosse player Justin Peek. "He has coached at Absegami and has been a
teacher for 19 years. He has been a teacher and coach for (more than 25
years)."

She added: "We are hopeful that they will take another vote and
reconsider. If they don't I hope we will be given a reason, a valid reason why this man won't be able to set foot on the field."

The players have thrown their full support behind Goodwin. At Friday's pep
rally the team had planned to wear shirts that read "Free Goody."

However, administrators forbade them from wearing the shirts, according to Peek.

The players only decided against wearing them at the request of Goodwin.

"They are disappointed that their season is starting out minus their
coach," said Peek. "The boys are upset. He is their coach. He was
there from the start."