‘Please know as superintendent, I do not evaluate, hire or remove coaches. Those decisions are made by the athletic director and the high school principal.?
? Superintendent Dr. William Skilling in an e-mail to a former Oxford basketball player

Maybe it’s my Italian DNA talking, but one of the qualities I prize most in people is loyalty.
And when I say loyalty, I do not mean a bond toward another based on fear, intimidation or knowing your place on the big bus. I don’t mean loyalty based on fear of losing one’s job or sycophantic hopes of being promoted.
I mean faithfulness based on genuine respect, affection and admiration.
Last week, I was relieved to see real loyalty is alive and well here in Oxford.
The outpouring of support for Steve Laidlaw was impressive and inspiring to say the least.
Recently, the OHS varsity boys basketball coach was unceremoniously and foolishly dumped by the shortsighted school administration in favor of some vague ‘new direction.?
Laidlaw’s termination was recommended by Athletic Director Pat Ball and approved by OHS Principal Mike Schweig.
He appealed it and it was reviewed at length by Superintendent Skilling, who had a three-hour meeting with Laidlaw, but ultimately the decision was allowed to stand.
The comments supporting Laidlaw, particularly those from his former players, were heartwarming. Laidlaw’s impact on his players went well beyond X’s and O’s on the chalkboard. or wins and losses on the court.
He touched their lives. He helped them become honorable men who do what’s right. He helped them break the bonds of their perceived limitations to achieve their dreams.
Laidlaw taught them the value of hard work and the importance of being passionate about the things you love. He kept track of how their lives were going long after they received their diplomas.
His players became his extended family. He viewed them and their accomplishments like any proud father. In return, his players felt a debt of gratitude toward him not unlike sons feel toward their fathers.
I was also impressed with Laidlaw’s loyalty to Coach Walt Studinger. When the administration wanted him to terminate Studinger, Laidlaw refused to serve up his friend and b-ball mentor’s head on a platter to save his own skin.
As he so eloquently told me, ‘There’s no right way to do the wrong thing.?
He knew Studinger to be a good coach and a good man. He knew from personal experience that Studinger’s wisdom, knowledge of the game, devotion to teaching and concern for others was an asset to Oxford’s kids.
And in the end, that’s who Steve Laidlaw is loyal to above all ? the kids.
Unlike some coaches ? and administrators ? who only care about their own glory and place in the record-books, Laidlaw cares about his kids on the court, off the court, in school, out of school and for the rest of their lives.
Transparent administrators driven by hidden agendas can take away his job, but he’ll always be ‘coach? to the boys he helped become men.
Oxford’s definitely heading in a ‘new direction? and I don’t like it one bit. It’s a direction that will ultimately cost this community its soul.
In our relentless drive to become ‘global,? we’re going to lose the very things that make Oxford, Oxford.
There’s an old saying, ‘If you want to make an omelet, you must be willing to break a few eggs.?
I guess if you want to make a ‘world class? school district, you must be willing to break a few hearts and end a few careers.
Just be sure to wash your hands like Pontius Pilate, so others receive all the blame for unpopular decisions.