Kennedy Players Tell Side of Story

Donis Bailey had plenty of time to think about the transgressions, real or imagined, that resulted in her suspension as girls’ basketball coach at Kennedy High.

The long-time counselor spent sixth period Tuesday sitting in her office “with my stomach turned inside out,” while Warren Mason, the Kennedy principal, questioned her players.

Mason’s investigation centers on allegations by two Kennedy teachers that Brian Lewis, a former Taft volunteer assistant, helped coach Kennedy during practice in violation of Mason’s orders to Bailey.

The players, Bailey was relieved to learn, backed her contention that Lewis never did any coaching. Five Golden Cougars, including All-City Section forwards Vanessa Dunn and Monia Calhoun, transferred from Taft last summer through open enrollment.

“I spoke with nine varsity players and they all said [Lewis] has not been with the team,” said Mason, whose probe will conclude today.

Kennedy (6-1) plays Huntington Park in the first round of the Roosevelt tournament at 2:30 p.m. today. The Golden Cougars defeated Sylmar, 67-13, Monday under interim coaches Larry Holden, a friend of Bailey’s, and junior varsity coach Toni Grooms.

Bailey was suspended Friday pending the outcome of the investigation.

“I’ve been the coach for seven years and everyone knows I run a clean program,” Bailey said while Mason met with the players. “This has turned my life upside down. I guess they believe I am guilty until proven innocent.”

Taft was 20-1 last season, losing in the playoffs, but sources at Taft said Lewis and Coach Stephanie Blin did not see eye-to-eye. Blin resigned after the season.

Taft administrators conveyed to Mason that Lewis wanted to follow the players to Kennedy. Lewis applied in August to become a walk-on coach, but Mason opposed it because of concern the Golden Cougars would appear to be involved in recruiting.

“I turned him down,” Mason said. “I didn’t want him involved because it would put the program in a bad light.”

Mason also turned down Lewis’ application in October to become a boys’ walk-on assistant at Kennedy.

In June, Mason assured Barbara Fiege, City Section athletics commissioner, that Lewis would not coach at Kennedy, and he told Bailey the same. Fiege is attending a commissioner’s meeting and was unavailable for comment.

On Dec. 10, Lewis picked up the niece of Golden Cougar player Tammy Barber from the Kennedy parking lot as a favor to her family. Lewis met with Mason on Tuesday morning and denied he had coached the team.

“Brian attends all the games, like the parents do,” Bailey said. “He hasn’t been at practices.”

Mason said he would decide today whether to reinstate Bailey after he meets with the teachers who made the allegations.

The principal said the episode reflects the problems associated with open enrollment.

“It’s a can of worms that takes a school policy and turns it into a moral issue,” Mason said. “If a coach is upset and leaves, then takes his players with him, there is nothing technically wrong with the kids coming.

“But recruiting is still a violation, and we are not going to allow that to happen.”