SCOTT CITY EXTENDS MCCORD'S CONTRACT

SCOTT CITY -- Dismissing unspecified allegations against Scott City High basketball coach Derek McCord as "unfounded rumors," the Scott City R-I Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to extend McCord's contract as head coach.

The board emerged at 10:45 Thursday night to unveil its decision after a closed session of more than an hour and a half. Much of the overflow crowd of parents, basketball players and other residents who turned up to offer words of support to the board on McCord's behalf, remained until the decision was read and burst into applause.

Few specific allegations surfaced as the board kept mum and many in the assemblage who addressed the board expressed confusion as to what had been alleged.

Seventeen of the 18 who rose to speak expressed support for McCord, who has guided the Rams to a 105-15 record the past five seasons and a 171-57 mark during his eight-year tenure.

A former Scott City basketball player, Ben Sample, told the board that while playing under McCord he had "lost the desire to play basketball" and said his older brother, Luke Sample, had been treated poorly by McCord.

A player who spoke in support of McCord, Ronald Watson, acknowledged that McCord had called a player a "coward," but said the reference was misunderstood and McCord didn't intend to single out the player. Watson concluded by saying that McCord "doesn't do negative things."

Many of those in attendance expected the board's vote to be close. A number of them cited well-known differences between two board members and McCord, but said such conflicts should be worked through.

"We need to stop the rumor crap," said Kenny Keller, a McCord supporter.

Another in attendance, Jim Johnston, referred to the entire affair as "a disgrace."

Apparently differences had also arisen between McCord and Terry Flannigan, Scott City's former athletics director and football coach, who is leaving the school at the end of the school year.

McCord said, "I still don't understand a lot of things, but it's great to know that you have that kind of support.

"I feel I've done everything that's asked of me. I check the kids' grades every three weeks and I've never had a kid get in trouble for drinking or anything. I've had kids get scholarships. I've done everything they've asked me."