Thank you for letting the truth be known about what happened with Coach Al Chavira at Amador this year. It truly is a sad state of affairs when one set of parents can take a whole program hostage. I’m not even sure what that family’s ultimate goal was. Carrying out a personal vendetta against someone = success for your children?? The math doesn’t add up. My only hope is that the girls program will be able to rebuild stronger than before, and that a culture that is void of bullying, and is built on hard work, and a mindset of the importance of the TEAM over individual success will emerge. Perhaps those who aren’t in line with that kind of a thinking will get off the bus, and let the rest of the girls find success in ways that ultimately matter more than how many points are scored.

Interesting story about Amador Valley girls basketball
and the coach. I would like to hear this parents’ side of the story, though.

With all due respect, David, with your influence on the Pleasanton Weekly, it is inconsiderate to take such a controversial argument in our school community and be disrespectful to said "parents." The information you are sharing is not only inaccurate but clearly dramatized by the words you only took from one side of the argument. Besides, it was not in the power of the parents to have the coach fired. The parents simply did what was responsible for the information they received and the school ultimately made the decision. Let's not vilify members of our community before assessing the entirety of the situation. The pettiness of parents in circumstances like these can turn a high school sport into a battle of unnecessary politics. Instead of taking such a negative approach to the situation, we should hope that the girls' basketball team looks forward to their next season with better prospects in mind. I know we both have what's best for the community in mind :)

This happens so often. Not too long ago we saw 2 iconic Soccer Coaches forced out of both high schools due to over involved parents. School policy takes these volunteer positions and awards them to teachers often overworked and looking for something to add to their resume. Kids suffer, teams suffer.

Resident of Amador Valley High School,
Your comment “the parents simply did what was responsible for the information they received “ is pathetic. As if the parents were innocent bystanders, minding their own business, and suddenly information dropped out of the sky!! And as if they were heroes who protected the poor kids who were being coached by Al Chavira. These parents actively sought out personal information about the coach by paying a private detective to dig through his past. They actively sought to take him down and to shame him in the community he was part of. It was deliberate, it was vindictive, it was sick. Shame on them. No one is fooled that there is another “side to the argument “. The only thing on the other side of this is toxic parenting and a desire to bully to get their way. If these parents didn’t like the coach they should of taken their kid to another school, or taught them to focus on what they could control- their own effort and attitude.

Thank you Dennis Miller for your candor writing this article.

Thanks Dennis, time to take the helicopter parents out of the equation.

Concerned Resident,

The information that was shared is 100% accurate. They hired a private investigator and what he found was a civil case that was supposed to have been expunged. ERASED, SEALED! Money can buy you a lot of things, I guess. Was it responsible for the parents to go around digging for garbage on this man? He poured his heart and soul for this program, got the team out of financial ruin, and was loved by the entire administration and community (save one).

IF there are any petty repercussions, it solely falls on the shoulders of the parents [removed]. It's so easy to sweep this situation under the rug and say better luck this year, when a human being's name was tarnished for something that happened 25 years ago AND those that took him to court....They wrote a letter on his behalf. So before you go making the "responsible parents" out to be the good guys, maybe you should find out the facts. You have NO idea what's best for the community. how do you think [removed] going to feel NEXT SEASON if they have a new coach and every player on the team resents [removed ] for what [removed parents did?

[Removed] That's not Coach Al's MO. They didn't like him because he would pull [removed] for not playing hard (probably when [removed] got tired and didn't ask for a sub), and sit [removed]. That's called holding players accountable. Unfortunately, we live in a society where there is NO accountability and when adults try, this is what happens.

This is where communities need to step in and do whats "right".

The parents from the team need to "take one for the team" and confront these two individuals head on. Give them the chance to correct, apologize, and make amends or face societal consequences.

Unacceptable behavior, that only will breed more if allowed.

Well written! Kids need to earn their spots. So sad [removed] because now everyone knows what happened and I know my daughter isn't wanting to be around girls and parents like that. Shame on those parents. As a parent of a multi sport athlete I just hope she does enough to earn that spot and that time. If I did this my child would never speak to me again. These parents can try and justify their actions all day long but it's an ugly move and they should be embarrassed

What volume of “Tales from Swankville” are we on now? If these precious little [removed] don’t like s teacher what happens? Wonder how long they will continue this form “parenting”? Through college? First post university job? After the parents are gone it will be a rude awakening for [removed] to have to deal with someone they’re at odds with.

This is so sad. So many coaches, including our family, do this out of passion for the sport and the pure joy of seeing these kids grow and succeed. As a girls varsity basketball coach I would never return to my alma mater to coach and this is the reason why. It makes me so sad.

Thank you, Mr. Miller for writing a real and authentic article about our situation throughout this season.

From a player perspective— this was all exteremly difficult.

Pleasanton Meadows Parent,
I want to first respond to your comment.
Our parents did, “take one for the team” by handling this entire situation so maturely and positively towards every girl on the team. Instead, we decided to finish our season strong and our parents together decided to be the bigger person.
The parents know who they are, and confrontation wouldn’t have changed the situation. As for giving those parents “the chance to correct, apologize, and make ammends” about the situation, I want to remind you they have all of our phone numbers and they had plenty of time to do so.

As a Amador Girl’s Basketball player, I am so overwhelmed with the support from friends and community members. I am glad Mr. Miller took the time to share this.

I am grateful to have been coached by Al Chavira. He has made me the player and person I am proud to be today.

Nice to read this article. It needed to come out. Those parents were unhappy alot. They easily blamed others for problems. They could not cheer for the team. They destroyed a team that was winning and starting to believe in themselves.

I hope good lessons are learned by those parents. It is the girls’ team. The team is supported by a community of parents, coaches, teachers, administrators, fans, friends, families, and businesses. We support the team because sports gives each athlete a chance to be their best. What those parents did negatively impacted and hurt all of us.

Those poor parents need to step back and learn how to support the team. They need to cheer for each one of the girls on their journey to becoming adults. If they can do that, they will be able appreciate what our community (and Coach Al) does for the team. Those parents do not need to be around the team unhappy and hating.

A "concerned" player,
I don't know the specifics of what the parents of the team did or didn't do - my fear, is in today's day and age, we choose to avoid direct conflict out of fear of engaging in a uncomfortable but necessary conversation. Ie if "taking the high road" means not addressing / avoiding we are failing our youth. These are necessary life skills to learn

Parents hiring a private investigator to dig up dirt on a coach they disliked is despicable.

Can't help to wonder how they treat their neighbors.

I bet these two are a real joy to be around.

Pleasanton Parent

Confronting them to what end? They went directly to administration. No communication with the team or the coach beforehand. The facts of what these cruel parents did to Al Chavira are the facts. I don't understand how confronting them would have changed anything. They did what they did to be cruel and vindictive and SOLELY to get this coach fired because they did not like that he did not play [removed] enough (even being [removed] on the team and one playing MORE minutes than any other player on the team). They wanted to make way for a coach they want hired to favor [removed]. What's done was done to Al. Could not be undone with a confrontation. You have no idea how many "life lessons" these girls learned this season. They acted respectfully and kindly for months to the [removed] even when they knew [removed] parents that did this to their team and their coach! Please do not speak about "taking the high road". I could not prouder of the girls on this team. The Amador Girls Varsity Basketball team behaved in a way that was no less than truly remarkable this season.

These parents, and likely [removed] as well, are despicable. Their poor little [removed] wanted more play time? Even when not putting forth the effort? So mommie and daddie take action to give it [removed]. No need for your snowflake to earn the time, no need [removed] to work hard, no need [removed} to learn how to participate and be responsible for their own actions. Yup, that crap is gonna fly really well when [removed] into the real world. Didn't study for your college finals? Mommie will hire an investigator to dig up dirt on the professor. Better yet! Hire some mob muscle for the wet work and just kill the prof. No need to allow your snowflake to suffer the consequences of her lack of effort. Getting [removed] first jobs will be interesting . . . . . mommie can call HR and demand that the punk be allowed to sleep late because it just damages her self esteem to have to comply with rules you know.

[Removed] will be spectacular failures in everything that they do in life. And I sincerely hope that they read all of these comments [removed]

It is a sad state of affairs when the PUSD itself does not vet new hires or perform due diligence in performing background checks in new employees. I suppose that they do this as a matter of course given the high number of incidents over the years.

It is unfortunate that they also seem to not be able to simply do a quick internet search.

Sounds like what should really be the question is how do these situations keep occurring? Why are teachers hired then suddenly removed both at Foothill and Amador? Who is responsible for the lack of vetting? The HR supt? The supt? The principal?

While reading the article and the associated comments I became so disheartened at the state of affairs within AVHS, the PUSD, the coach, team and these parents. The vindictive side of me would want those parents to have their past investigated and reported to their employer any and all issues they have ever had! But I am not vindictive to that point.

However, I do not hold any favor for those parents either. All they have taught [removed] is if you don't like something/someone and your whining and crying doesn't get you your way, then hurt the person you have the issue with in any way possible. Wow, if [removed] follow that example, what a POS life that will be!

Regarding the PUSD, I sincerely hope that the coach can find a good attorney to sue the district for overreaching their authority. Seems like nothing has changed with this district since I was a student over 30 years ago. Only the name has changed, but the attitude of the board is still as flawed as ever! Maybe a private investigator needs to be hired to fully investigate the PUSD members too!

Secondly, if I were the coach, I would also be looking into the legality of the investigation and the results for a potential lawsuit against the parents. I personally do not have all of the specific details, so cannot say for certain what if anything can be litigated upon, but for me, I would not take this without a fight.

Coach - I hope you recover from this debacle with the upper hand.

Team - I hope and pray that you have learned that this is NOT the way to move ahead in any fashion or under any circumstance!

Signed,
Lifetime Pleasanton Resident and AVHS Alum that is disgusted with PUSD and those parents!

I am sickened to hear the story that once again parents involve themselves in team sports and negatively affect their child’s experience and tarnish the reputation of a good man. Al Chiveria has coached my daughter. I know that he is a good man, father and coach. I am sickened that disgrunteled and disillusioned parents would dig into someone’s past to justify why your child isn’t a star player. It is sickening and wrong. Shame on those parents and those who support their actions. Consider what you are modeling for your children.

And this is why so many of the kids today feel entitled...spoiled...etc. what a shame

Actually given the incidents at Pali Alto Unified it seems to me that the Pleasanton Weekly going on the attack mode against these students and parents is irresponsible journalism. There have been all sorts of issues with school staff harassing students and their parents that have led to a Federal OCR investigation, the removal of the superintendent, the disciplining and censure of 2 principals and all sorts of issues that relate to bullying and intimidation of the female students at PAUSD. Web Link

I do hope that the students and parents that are being lambasted by the Pleasanton Weekly and by the online posters will consider filing an OCR complaint so that this type of nonsense is stopped.

These types of parents are truly ruining our school district and community. They want their children to succeed at any cost. Look at the discussion around the Math Pathways and off-campus courses. Parents are blaming teachers for their children's poor math performance instead of excepting that their child might not be ready for an advanced math course. It's easier to threaten and discredit a teacher than face the hard fact that one's child isn't ready! It takes a community to raise children, but some parents would drive over another's child, a teacher, or administrator if they could "drag" their child to the top. I have been so disheartened by one more story about parents who must get their way or there is hell to pay! More young teaching candidates are choosing Livermore and other school districts now. These parents are driving away great teachers, coaches, and administrators. I suggest they read the book, "How to Raise an Adult." Web Link

As someone who has worked in this community and been part of the AV community for over 15 years, I am so disappointed that this is where we are now.

[removed]

So at what point did these people think that their annoyance with their girls coach gave them the right to ruin this man's life. WHAT'S WRONG WITH PEOPLE TODAY!! They should be ashamed at what they did and THANKFUL that people aren't outing them publicly and ruining their lives.

It's a very sad day to be a Don!

Any way you slice it, these parents think [removed] are bigger than the school and the basketball program. It is one thing to protect [removed] but another to be so selfish and self serving that you get a coach fired because you don't like his style or the minutes your kids are getting. What's the end game for [removed] in basketball ? D1 scholarship at a real basketball program? WNBA? I doubt it.

Thanks, Dennis. My neighbor told me about this pathetic situation yesterday. Glad my kids are going to Foothill and not Amador, especially considering I wouldn't want to encounter these 'parents.'

Would be too hard for me not to echo your comments to them--and then some.

Also glad to have Sebastian Bull as principal at Foothill, btw. From what I've heard and read (See: Web Link he's a TOP-notch administrator (and ironically, was at Amador for many, many years, but was never offered the top job there).

I'll take that kind of serendipity over this kind of stupidity as articulated by Dennis any day of the week/month/year. ;-)

@residentandparent,

You are silly to think that you will not encounter parents like this at Foothill. Way to take this situation and turn it into some sort of competition between Amador and Foothill. This isn't about a comparison between the schools, this is something happening in the district and actually has happened in different forms for years at many schools.

I feel sorry for [removed] right now. They are going to experience a lot of harrassment because of this and worse now that everyone is commenting here. Isn't it the equivalent of online bullying? I do understand that the coach experienced worse for being fired, but these girls are teenagers and it's not fair to them either. Just sad on so many levels.

WOW, Dennis Miller! What an eye opener of what coaching in Pleasanton has become! This was a powerful article, & you’ve always been the best to tell the truth. So sad, but as a former coach’s wife, I saw & can see what damage a few parents can do, if they are allowed. Sad for this coach & family, & the team.

If you recall, a few years back, a female FHS teacher/swim coach/attorney, Lauren Andrade, was given a $40,000 settlement. Why? No answers were ever given. Her teaching credential is self-revoked. Hmmmmm. Lots of rumors about that incident floated around.
And now the complete end of the spectrum! I feel bad for this coach and the girls involved. Poor little Betty Basketball player who didn't get her play time and mommy and daddy got mad. Shame on them!!! Let's hope Karma visits this family!

Dennis,
Great writing as always! As you know, I’ve Been in Pleasanton since Jan 1971. As for Amador Sports, we both have been there and done that.
It is sad to see parents going after a coach with intent to get him fired! Hiring a Private Investigator! What has this Community Turned into?
It’s a Sad Day for Fellow Amador Athletes and to the Senior Girls on The Team! It Ruined their lives and memories!

To: "Who vets new hires?"

Every school district has to do an FBI clearance which can take anywhere from 3 days to a month. They run scans for everything pertaining to records that are on file with the law. What was dug up by the PI was a) expunged, b) a civi court case, and 3) would never have been seen on ANY background by the Department of Justice. As stated before, the people who took Coach to court ALL wrote supporting letters on his behalf and submitted them to the district.

This man has done NOTHING wrong, and would be hired at any school district. The fact that he's been nothing but nice to [removed] and allowed [removed] free reign of the program only leads me to believe that their motivation was nothing more than two parents being vindictive because [removed] held to the same standard as everyone else. The environment he created was positive, hardworking, committed, and moving in the right direction. Every year he coached, they got better. Not only that, but ALL the parents respected his efforts and liked him as a coach and person coaching their kids.

To: Resident and parent

Mr. Bull is an FANTASTIC administrator and before Mike Williams took the job at Amador, He was offered the job. He had just taken over an elementary school and didn't feel it was right to leave after just 1 year. so he stayed an extra. Amador's loss and Foothills gain.

But lets be real here...Foothill and Amador parents are two of a kind and before Bruce Funk took over at FH, the parents got the coach fired there too. There's a reason Amador Valley is at full enrollment and Foothill isn't AND there's a reason why kids on that side are banging on the door to get it. It's a much better school, all the way around: Academically, athletically, everything. So keep thinking your school is [removed] and thanking your lucky stars that this situation isn't happening to your school, because it will, eventually. lol

WOW. Extremely reckless without posting a single truth. So let me ask you this Dennis Miller... WERE YOU THERE?? In the room with whatever this student is accusing him of?? Parents are so easy to side with the coach and suck up without knowing details. Why? Not to disturb their own kids spot on the team. And I am NOT stating that this particular coach is guilty either. I say you as the reporter should OPEN THE BOOKS and expose the details of the accusations or stop spreading random gossip on either end. You realize you can do that right?? Look at the districts website. Request the minutes of the charges. Do I know these parents? Nope. The accuser? Nope. The coach? Nope. But I have been down this road with the Pleasanton School District. And I had more evidence than the OJ trial when I took it to the district that they could not ignore. Yet the district hid the accused background information and historical accusations (several) until I made them uncover the truth and now I have it all in black & white directly from their files on PUSD letterhead. Yet parents still chose to beleive the coach who then these perfect parents attempt to oust you from their social graces but no one cares to associate with these social climbing liars anyway. So good for these parents for digging. And I didn't have to share what I found out with ANY OF THEM to prove anything because I knew the truth and so did the district. So parents, continue to be oblivious. My case is now closed and this "coach" was forced to move on regardless of what he/she told these sheep who most likely still believe them even though the PUSD proved me right. LOL. So as an addendum to your article Dennis?
Where is the information regarding the coach, what the parents are accusing him of? As someone who went through this first hand? The school district will not openly disclose information to protect their coaches and teachers. So parents have to dig deeper because it pretty much takes an act of congress to get a coach or teacher fired for whatever reason. Its a long process that ultimately IF there is substantial information they get let go and no one really knows why so don't "Assume". So these parents better come with proof, lots of proof. Because in my case there was also HISTORY of the same accusations in the school districts records that they would not share with me, until I got a lawyer involved. So if they had to hire a detective? Shame on them for wanting the truth. If there is nothing to hide? Then why should the school district hid it?? Dennis, if you want MY story, I will give it to you so you are educated on the process. But these Pleasanton parents need to wake up. This stuff really happens and it may or may not be visable to your own child or you as the parent, but you better be safe than sorry. Disgusting to post this article which is so one-sided before knowing the truth. You are lucky you don't get sued by the family if this all comes out on the wrong side of this article.

It isn't just the coaches that deal with this. The teachers are constantly bullied by parents for grades as well, and it's causing incredible burnout. Please take the time to share positive feedback with the staff at Amador. There is such a shortage of it.

"Concerned Resident" and "Keeping it Real" -- while you are certainly entitled to your opinions, you both scare me. I don't know the coach nor any of the parties, but from reading the article and other comments, the coach sounds amazing. Shame on the parents [removed]. They need to take their attitudes and private investigator and get out of here. PUSD and citizens of Pleasanton have real issues to deal with, and ruining a beloved coach's life and livelihood is not one of them.

Let’s be clear, the school district never “fired” the coach, because there was no grounds to fire him. He was put on “administrative leave” until the season was over, they could let him go by not renewing his contract, and then they could wash their hands of all the noise. If the coach was truly doing something illegal that the girls on the team needed to be protected from, why did the accusing parents not get the police involved? Why did they allow their child to continue to play on the team? Why did they not protect their child from the supposed harm?? Seems to me that lots of people (both the athletes on the team and parents) “know the details “ and are siding with the coach. Accusations of suing anyone about speaking the truth are ridiculous, fantasy in nature, and are more of the same- bullying.

Close the comments. "Get a life" from Golden Eagle summed it up for you already.

First off, thank you Dennis Miller.

Next, hiring a private investigator... that says it all about the parents...

I am OK to have these parents OUTTED, and connected with multiple D1 and D3 coaches, I would love to get the word out. but, that won't be necessary, the parents by past action won't be able to control their future actions.[removed] So, let's not go after them, they will repeat stupidity on their own.

More factoid for the uniformed, coaching for middle through high school, PUSD, has a stipend. So a teacher that coaches does get paid. Erase that freebie comment, please. Yes they can volunteer, but, they get paid.

Amador has multiple teachers that were former D1 and D3 players that CAN coach, but, won't due to... Parents of players or personal time challenges.

Playing sports teaches life lessons, feel free to do your research. Let's be supportive to the coaches that put up with all of the entitlement-parents.

I don't miss getting the direct calls, emails and comments like... Why does Auggie get more playing time Brett ? Cathy had a great practice today, Trent didn't have a great practice today, Nathan bit his tongue and that why he's not hustling, or why did yo pull Gena from the game?

Coaches also put up with passive aggressive tactics like contacting league directors, district authorities, staff, etc.

To which I say a large percentage of Pleasanton Parents need to put on their big boy pants and... get a new life in another world, along with buttercup.

-FORMER COACH

Regina - you missed my point.

Where are the FACTS?? - where are yours? If you're willing to share them with Dennis, to share with all, why not share on your own.

Here's the part I can't get over - if its that bad, why would any parent continue to subject their children to a dangerous/hurtful/harmful situation. You protect the kids first, and go after second, no self worthy parent keeps their child in harms way while trying to address it. Behavior and actions speak more to "I'm not happy, I didn't get my way....wwwaaahhh..." then a serious issue that necessitated the steps they took.

I have kids who play AV sports. The problem is not parent involvement. The problem is helicopter parenting. Parents of high school kids need to let the kids negotiate their relationships with teachers, coaches and other kids. You can only insulate your kids from life for so long. At some point, they need to become responsible, independent adults. If your kid is not good enough to play, or is not trying as hard as others, they don't deserve to be on the court or in the field. Get over it!

As for the hiring of a private investigator...Maybe someone can identify the parents who hired a private investigator so we can dig into their past as well? Then we can share that information with the other parents and their employers!

Thank you Dennis for writing this article. You hit on so many key issues about our children and over involved parents. Behavior like the parents' you described in your article are such a detriment to our children's individual growth. They rob their children of life lessons. When we take these lessons away from our children, in the end, it is our children who suffer. We send them off to college ill prepared to handle the pressures of the "real" world we live in today. Sports is such a great way to teach so many life lessons, team work, discipline, accountability, a sense of self pride and confidence. I hope more people speak up about Parents' and their over involvement in youth/high school sports.

First off, Thank You Mr. Miller for your article. Most of the comments written have covered all the subjects related to these [removed[ weak minded parents.

Now I think it is time that someone exposes these people so they can explain why they have acted so wrongly. This needs to be a life lesson learned [removed]. In life nobody gets anything for nothing, and if you want to be respected you have to earn that respect.

Parenting at this level is a mockery and disgrace, how will children ever learn to live a life that is full of peaks and valleys?

Its hard to believe that it is hard to find coaches. I mean with the exorbitant pay for very few hours and all those people that have free time in the later afternoon.

re: Where are the FACTS??

"Shame on them for wanting the truth" - but they didn't want the truth, they wanted dirt. The apparent "truth" likely has little basis in reality.

"So parents have to dig deeper because it pretty much takes an act of congress to get a coach or teacher fired for whatever reason." - really. Have you seen the number of teachers let go from AVHS alone this year?

Apparently you like to forget facts that don't fit your own little personal narrative of how everyone is out to get you.

I have been apart of the Amador basketball family for some time now. We all have our differences with coaches, it’s just going to happen, but as responsible parents we let them coach our kids and we support the team any way we can. We all want to protect our kids from everything but common sense is needed to draw a line between just being parents and being plain crazy. I’m actually scared of these people, who the hell in their right mind will pay an extreme amount of money to dig up information on a coach, just to get him removed, I would love to ask them why they had [removed] play on his summer team, if they hated him so much. Why did they find it necessary to have [removed] on our team? Why would you take a coach away from the rest of the team so close to finishing the season? Why don’t you have something better to do with your time? Maybe let [removed] grow up and face the fact that the entire world doesn’t revolve around them, you need to teach [removed] that things will not always go there way and maybe to just be apart of a team is more important.

It is a shame that this has even become an issue. This is why we are losing good teachers and coaches. To allow these parents to force the school district to take the action they have is a sign of our times. The sad thing is, it's not the coach that will suffer long term, it is (Removed) of these "entitled" parents!

This family needs a reality check! Sooner the better.

This is a totally biased unverified article.

Do we know the facts? what was the information that PSUD/school could not ignore and had to take actions? Do we want to know?

If the coach did something wrong, no matter how long ago, then it was the coach's fault not someone who found the evidence. The coach might need to disclose it at the beginning. If the coach did not do anything wrong, then let us have the dual process and listen to the stories from both sides.

we should not rush to make judgement without the facts.