Has the coach that violated the code of conduct been removed from Burros organization?

To make this a competition between Burros and Griffins is ridiculous. If the Burros don't want to enter into the Park Districts Affiliation Agreement, then they need to find another place to play. It just sounds like the Burros don't want to follow the same rules that other organizations are willing to follow!

The Jr Griffins are being given an unfair advantage and being promoted by the current President of the Park District Board. I have never seen such a violation of civic trust! I'm asking the Park District to do the right thing here. This is a conflict of interest to both Mr Metanias, and Mr Bagdon. Whether our children our Burros or Jr Griffins should be their choice, not the Parks, Mr Bagdon, or Mr Metanias.
Another Mokena Taxpayer.

The Burros do need to find another place to play at least this way to park will remain free of empty beer solo cups blowing around from all the parents who thought they were attending some Big 10 campus game on a Saturday morning. The rule of "No alcohol" in Main Park was truly being violated and I hope whoever uses the field this year between the goal posts adheres to this. The pitches tents were getting a little ridiculous. Go to the game with you kid, and leave afterwards. Your not watching Ohio State-Michigan. Keep our parks clean!!! If the Jr. Griffins play there or whoever, please NO ALCOHOL.

We have lived in Mokena for over 35 years, raised 3 sons who were Burros football players, and my husband is a past Burros board member. It was a great experience for our family and sons - we would love for other families to have these opportunities ..as Burros! Not letting Burros use park district fields is ridiculous and very narrow minded with long term consequences - there seems to be more to this story like someone looking for a quick fix. The kids are the ones who are losing.One coach's actions do not define a entire program that has meant so much to this community for many, many years. Sit down, work out the verbage of the contract, and get it done!! Make make effort!!

Kipper? What side are you on man? One minute you're blasting the Burros, the other you're saying your kid wants to play for them? If you really want to find out these answers, step up and help and quit being so negative!!!! Darlene Kruse: Hold tight and wait for the Burros to make their announcement on Friday. Burros parents...don't jump ship. Stand and support the organization that has been there for the kids of Mokena for 49 years! I don't care if we have to practice in my backyard, I will ALWAYS support the Burros! Take a good look around folks at the people causing the controversy. A man who didn't get picked for the Burros Board, a park district employee who started the confrontation with a Burros Board Member and a Village Trustee. Hmmmm....something doesn't smell right here folks! Funny how this all should come about right before the registration for the Griffins this Saturday. How pathetic! Hang tight Burros families, hang tight!

How did all of this evolve into the Burro's not having a field? Let's start back at square one! The coach that called the child a name(it was stated that the child was not pushed to the ground but that was an inaccuracy in the article). Where is that coach now? Is he coaching again this year and with who? Let's get our facts straight!
Burro's step forward and explain what was done. You need to restate the Burro's position on this. I respect the privacy of the coach but...is he coaching again for you this year? Or is he a driving force that is leading the "Jr. Griffins". Again know the facts parents!
You may be unknowingly following the coach that this whole fiasco was about.
When this first started it was a good concept. To allow children to play that were too heavy to play in the Burro league. Then it has mushroomed into, they have the same size players & cheerleaders. Quite a different story than we were lead to believe. Remember the old saying "divide and conquer?" You may be watching it play out before your very eyes! Go to the Burro's board get some answers and see what changes they have made to avoid this in the future.

I had no idea this was all political. Here I thought we'd be able to sign my son up on a team that had no restrictions to play some football. After reading all of this 1) I don't want to be looked at as a "side picker", seeing we aren't one of those sports families and 2) the influences these people will have on my son. Seriously, why does everything have to be so political?

This just in - The Park District reached out to the Burros Pres. this a.m. wanting to sit down and discuss the agreement. Stop the rumor-mongering and call the Park District directly if you want the real answers.

when will the burros release a statement about where or if they will play and practice

Prospective JR Griffins Parents Be Informed: I just read the 2/16 article in the Southtown. It states:
“ The Junior Griffins will play in the River Valley League, which focuses on equal playing time for all kids, Bagdon said, while the Burros program is more competitive and has weight requirements. Mokena kids who don’t meet those requirements or want a less competitive experience have had to look elsewhere, some playing for the Frankfort Falcons, which is also a member of the River Valley League.”
What a bunch of bunk! There are dozens of Falcon players that do not see a minute of playing time in the real games. There is no equal playing time. Coaches are focused on winning, and very competitive (that doesn’t make it bad). It is like that throughout the River Valley league. And there are weight requirements. Don’t fool yourself if you think the JR Griffins is going to be different. Equal playing time for all kids = getting you butts kicked; resulting in parents getting upset.
For reference: my kid plays for the Falcons, he enjoys it, he had good coaches, and he sits on the bench for 98% of the real game. I enjoy the program; wished he played more. No program is perfect. Mokena parents just need to understand the reality.

Has anyone else noticed the majority of the damage is already made? ALOT of the parents have already signed their children up and "jumped ship"! These parents may not know what is going on and all the controversy or that the children are suffering & waiting for answers also. They don't realize that the ones who played Burros last year & made friends/ team mates and bonds have just been broken and are now being taught that they are a rivalry and if one plays for one league and one the other then they are no longer "team-mates" in the town of friendship. They are enemies being placed against each other! THESE ARE KIDS! Don't get me wrong I am for choice and teaching my kids all about competition... but was this kind really necessary? NO! The parents/board members who didn't get their way w/Burros went and formed the Griffins... hmmm, BEST INTEREST IN OUR TOWN & CHILDREN... STAY TOGETHER, WORK YOUR DIFFERENCES OUT & MAKE 1 GREAT LEAGUE THAT EVERYONE CAN ENJOY; like it was! If we wanted division of town/children we would go to other towns to play! This whole situation is ridiculous, I hope these parents are as concerned about our schools! (Sure they can find a way to start a new league and get everything they want and the park district board is all over it... but can the school taxes and future of our childrens education be helped? Seems like priorities shifted somewhere!) BTW: Some of you should use your real names & NOT BE AFRAID! Stand up for what you believe in!

From what I understand, the Burros did not want to expand the Flag Football to include older age brackets. For those of us who have children not wishing to pursue tackle ball, Griffins will provide an opportunity that Burros will not. Get to a certain age with Burros - Go Tackle or Don't Play. There is always another option and that is to go to another league.

You would think then the Burros would have considered the needs of all the community, and expanded Flag for the older boys. Burros made the decision to stay status quo and focus more on tackle, and that is fine. So now there is another option-it doesn't have to be if you are for one you are against the other.

The Burros is a volunteer organization and it would be irresponsible to have so many programs that they can't cover with volunteers. I am assuming that the Jr Griffins would be volunteers also unless since it is sponsored by the Mokena Park District that they will provide all of the volunteers needed. One thing I never saw on the field was a lack of children eager to participate and play football and cheer.
So there is a need for heavier players...that is dictated by the league,not the Burros so go to another league for that size. That is understandable. No one ever complained about that. It is beginning to sound as if the Park District wants to provide a football program with their connection of the Jr Griffins and a Park Board Commissioner. Handle this carefully men especially since the next election may have many write in votes. The PD is making a great mistake getting so involved in this instead of taking care of business. Park board minutes should reflect that this gentleman has recused himself from any football vote.

Other towns like New Lenox , Frankfort, Orland, joliet etc. have more then one team in there town it did not split there towns up or divide them. Why is it that now the Jr. Griffins are going to divide our town. Having more then one team is not about division it's about options. Don't use that as an excuse to put down the Jr. Griffins. It's a Mokena team let's show some support.

Metanias gets dumped by Burros and starts his own team. First the Falcons and now The JGs. Nice way to divide the town. Didn't we see this act with Home Depot? Ain't America great?

OK, simple solution here folks. Bagdon and Romanek should be ousted from the PD and Hunninford and DellaFave should be ousted from the Burros. If both Boards are really concerned about this town and these kids, they will remove the problems. Two teams is not bad for Mokena and it gives kids options that are best for them. Lets remember here guys, this is a kids game and not a game that is suppose to be played through politics or dad's looking to get their own way.

FYI - The burros spent almost $50.000to help update the football field only to be told by the park district that we could not practice on it because it may damage it. The Burros also had to rent lights so it could practice at other fields, that did not have light, because there was not enough room at main park. The Burros were also told there was not enough parking to add a field at the Oaks. NOW THE PARK DISTRICT IS BACKING A SECOND TEAM.

^ and if shared, and something happens to these fields whos going to fix them?

Mr. Wizard, why did the burros dump metanias. U explain it. Come on, the guy coaches for 15 years, and all of a sudden, a new A.D. comes, and says he wants a change. Bullcrap. And Btw, metanias was asked to coach the griffins, he didn't start the league. Get ur facts straight everyone.

What kind of park isn't delighted to see kids use the park

If there is a problem with adults, call the police.

I am glad to see anyone use the park that I contribute to.

Does the Park District realize that getting approval for a rate increase won't be easy.