2ndjoyce, BA (10/22/2009 10:12:48 PM)

There will come a time when every coach will need an assistant by his or her side at all times while carrying out coaching duties.
Can I get a witness?

RomeosTune, Tulsa (10/22/2009 10:14:57 PM)

You don't even know if he's guilty yet tough guy.

THESMOKEHOLE, Tulsa (10/22/2009 10:16:20 PM)

ha ha...true...I have calmed down now...

okie ridgerunner, Small Country Town State Line (10/22/2009 10:43:52 PM)

2ndjoyce said it right.

Bozipher, Stillwater (10/22/2009 11:02:00 PM)

I agree.

d van, Tulsa (10/22/2009 11:07:04 PM)

Didn't a Booker T Washington girl also accuse a male teacher of something like this; and it ended up being a made-up sham?

$100,000 bail and fired, yet there's no evidence or witness?

Now he has to try to find a lawyer and pay $50,000 or more to get a decent representation. Coaching isn't worth it!

The school should be at least providing policies that prevent coaches & students from this kind of situation.

The school district sure treats coaches worse than union members.

Carlos, Tulsa (10/22/2009 11:53:16 PM)

"Tulsa Public Schools spokeswoman Tami Marler said Rogers was a “lay coach” and didn’t teach classes."

LOL.

2curious, Tulsa, OK 74104 (10/23/2009 2:13:26 AM)

d van -

"The school should be at least providing policies that prevent coaches & students from this kind of situation."

Uh... the school DOES have policies against this. It's alleged that he VIOLATED those policies as well as the law.

Centrist, the burbs (10/23/2009 2:52:18 AM)

A Lay Coach? bad title Tami. The bail seems too high for this is my opinion. The guy has no record, it's he says she says. If you are an adult male whether teacher,coach, Dad you should not be alone with a minor female in your vehicle or home for your own legal protection.

SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (10/23/2009 4:23:49 AM)

Going for younger women is cool, but not 41 years younger. That's just creepy son!

getreal, (10/23/2009 5:55:00 AM)

This may be true, however, the D.A. can charge anyone anytime with a crime. He has been charged, not found guilty. His life is ruined and he may deserve what he gets. But it seems a bit much to plaster his picture in the paper and web before a trial.

blindshoe, (10/23/2009 5:58:04 AM)

maybe its time for 2 coaches at all times not only to protect kids but coaches too

Tony G, Tulsa (10/23/2009 6:22:32 AM)

Why do men think they can get away with stuff like this? This girl was 14, clearly he should have known better.

Popeye, T-Town (10/23/2009 7:01:47 AM)

My wife and I are A.S.E. certified softball coaches and have been for years. If this man EVER gave a ride to any student or player, unsupervised without another adult present, then he's got problems. You just don't do it!

My wife, and daughter, sometimes call me "F.D.". Their initials for "Final Destination". They joke that I can imagine all sorts of horrific situations and needlessly admonish them as a result.

If you're a male adult, coaching or advising in a girl's sport -- and have been involved in it for over two decades -- and don't know, or imagine, that something like this could happen; then your initials should be "D.A.".

Hopefully Tommy will be able to cite years of policy where he has NEVER given a ride to a player without another adult present. If not...

skippy1, Tulsa (10/23/2009 7:03:00 AM)

"It is the Tulsa World's policy not to identify victims of sex crimes." How about the guy who may be falsely accused? You can't 'un-ring' this bell, so if this guy really is innocent how does he get his reputation back?

HarleyRyder55, Tulsa (10/23/2009 7:52:31 AM)

This situation, IF TRUE, is an example of when being a "hands-on" kind of coach doesn't work out too well.

lamarfan, Lamar (10/23/2009 8:17:56 AM)

Most of you are already saying this guy is innocent and this girl is a lying little kid. This crap does go on in our schools and I know for a fact some coaches are just ask to quit and that is the end of it. I know this kinda of stuff goes on in college, you people need to get out more,

It Matters!, (10/23/2009 8:33:47 AM)

lamarfan - Teenagers lie all the time too. This girl will admit she was lying and nothing happens to her yet the Coaches career and reputation is ruined. There needs to be some recourse of punishment for the girl if she is lying.

absolutelyridiculous, (10/23/2009 8:37:23 AM)

Let's not forget INNOCENT until proven guilty. I agree with It Matters. This is a persons life we are talking about!

softballmom, Owasso (10/23/2009 8:46:25 AM)

Come on People! Im not saying Tommy is guilty or innocent but I am giving him the benifit of the doubt. Tommy has been coaching hundreds of girls outside this school for years and not one complaint has been filed against him. And Shame on Tulsa World for putting his picture out there before being proven Guilty!!! I will be praying for this girl AND Tommy.

Legendsfan, (10/23/2009 8:49:29 AM)

Skippy 1. Those of us in the softball community know that this is a false allegation. My daughter and hundreds of other kids along with parents plan to support Tommy.

QLC, (10/23/2009 8:57:05 AM)

Men, quit getting involved in womens' sports. Just stay away. Don't big brother them, don't scout them, don't put yourself out there for female organizations. It just isn't worth it.

Dwight Schrute, (10/23/2009 9:00:33 AM)

Wow.. hell hath no fury like a teen girl scorned ! I sure wish him the best if he's innocent. Even if proven innocent, this man will suffer great damages to his reputation. I can't imagine being an innocent person and have to go through all of this. On the other hand if he's proven guilty , enjoy the slammer. Too bad he placed himself in this situation in the first place.

DRC, (10/23/2009 9:07:29 AM)

I hope it's not true! Tommy is an excellent coach and has helped send a lot of girls to college on scholarships.

out here in the middle, Sand Springs (10/23/2009 9:34:07 AM)

I read once that Billy Graham has never been alone in a room with anyone but his wife, in all the years he has been an evangelist. It seems that early on in his life, he knew that if he was alone with another individual, he would be tempted to do something wrong, or someone else would be tempted to make up a story about him. Accountability is everything, when you have everything to lose.
And it isn't about coaching girls sports either. There are just as many bad things happening between coaches as students of the same gender. So the only answer is to never let yourself be alone in a situation with a student, male or female. Don't give them a ride home, don't meet them at the school alone, just don't do it.
I'm going to say that Popeye's comment was about the most reasonable and intelligent that I have read in a long time.