Drunk driving charge gets star running back the boot
Greenport school officials suspend football player Sean Heaney from all sports
21 comments below
Greenport High School senior Sean Heaney (top), pictured during a school wrestling match last winter, was suspended from participating in all sports after he was charged with drunk driving. He also played football and lacrosse for the Porters.
School officials suspended 17-year-old Sean Heaney from participating in football, wrestling and lacrosse for the remainder of the year.
The senior, who didn't play in the Greenport/Southold/Mattituck team's opening football game Friday night against Hampton Bays, was arrested for driving while intoxicated after an Aug. 23 car wreck on Front Street in Greenport, police reported last week.
[See Brian Harmon column]
Scholar athletes in Greenport sign a contract that prohibits players from possessing or using drugs or alcoholic beverages with the knowledge that such behavior would result in blocking them from participation in or attendance at all extracurricular activities.
But Mr. Heaney's father, Kerry Heaney, protested the punishment at the Sept. 9 school board meeting, pointing out that his son hasn't had his day in court.
Mr. Heaney, who on Wednesday refused to comment on his son's suspension, was joined in his protest at the school board meeting by coaches, parents and several of his son's teammates. Sean Heaney did not speak during the discussion.
Some speakers at the meeting weren't opposed to punishment, but said the arrest shouldn't block the athlete from playing this fall at a time when the all-division player is being evaluated by college football scouts for a possible scholarship.
"Sometimes that's the only chance kids have," football coach Jim Anderson said.
It could make or break his future, other audience members argued.
Football is a positive thing for Sean Heaney, assistant coach Tom Mangiamele said. "Taking something positive away creates bad feelings."
Several parents argued that through the years, students and staff members have been guilty of violations that have gone unpunished.
"If a child makes a mistake, we have to be there to guide them through," teacher's aide MaryAnn Jaeger said. At the same time, she raised a question about what message lifting the punishment might send to students who have previously paid the full price for their misbehavior.
"We hold our students and athletes to a higher level," another speaker said.
Wrestling coach Cory Dolson from Mattituck High School asked the Greenport school board to examine policies other North Fork school districts use to determine eligibility for extracurricular activities. Mr. Heaney is also an accomplished wrestler who appeared in the 2009 USA Wrestling magazine. He was undefeated in his 171-pound weight class in League VI competition last year.
Many North Fork school teams have students from each of the three area districts, but each district maintains its own contracts pertaining to eligibility.
"I'm not so sure you can take something not related to school and relate it to school without a conviction," Mattituck-Cutchogue Superintendent James McKenna said. In his more than 20 years of involvement with the district, he can't remember a single instance of a situation parallel to Mr. Heaney's.
The Mattituck-Cutchogue policy calls for suspension from one game for any student under the influence of alcohol or drugs on campus and dismissal from the team for a second such offense.
In Southold, a student found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol would be immediately suspended, but could appeal to the school's athletic advisory committee. The suspension would remain in force until or unless the advisory committee reversed it, Superintendent David Gamberg said.
In both districts, policies stipulate that any behavior off school property that conflicts with their codes of conduct could subject a student to suspension or dismissal after consultation with school officials.
Greenport Superintendent Mike Comanda and board members allowed public discussion of Mr. Heaney's case, but didn't answer questions or comment because the matter is the subject of potential litigation, Mr. Comanda said.
Board members said they can't act unless they receive an official appeal. Mr. Comanda on Wednesday would not say whether an appeal has been filed.
jlane@timesreview.com
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21 comments found
suspended 17-year-old Sean Heaney : 9/26/2009
They should wait till he is convicted or not before kicking him off, if he is found innocent they can't give back the time he lost-Shouldn't it be innocent till proven guilty?
Sean : 9/24/2009
Nice , nice young man !, he will go on to do great thing's after g-port high school . He' ll just have to running on brain power ,and hit the book's instead of counting on his ball's,and strength on the field.Take good care .
Equal Treatment : 9/23/2009
The problem I have with this 'contract' student-athletes have to sign is, why don't ALL students and teachers have to sign this as well. If Sean didn't go the extra mile and sign up for after school sports, this would have never made it past the police news. He would also be able to try out for the school play, or go on an outing club trip. If he was a teacher, nothing at all would happen.
Spare the rod, It won't spoil the child. : 9/22/2009
Sean Heaney is a senior. He has been "suspended" for the rest of his high school career. I don't call that a suspension, I would call it an expulsion. The extent of the punishment sends a strong message that there is no future for the student. It will not act as a deterrent because it is too strong. It is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Is this the first time he is being punished for drinking? The punishment is the maximum possible.In addition to punishing the student the team and the school are being punished. Such a "holy crap" message will not prevent students from driving drunk. The value of such extreame disiplinary methods is not priceless, it is worthless. A 3 game suspension would give him pause. Combined with counselling it could lead to reform and setting a positive example. Hopefully there will be a successful appeal
gimme a break : 9/22/2009
There are none among us that are 100% perfect 24-7. I am sure that you or one of your family members have or will make what others might consider a mistake. I have faith in Sean that he will learn from this and I can only hope that others will as well.As far as the specific comments you directed towards Sean and other members of my family, I will only reiterate the comments made by other family members. I thank God every day that I am part of this family. They are the most important thing in my life and always will be and I just want you to know that this 'CLOWN' will also be praying for you and yours. Rosemarie Heaney
This Clown : 9/22/2009
If this clown has the luck to end up like the rest of his family, he will only be a phone call away from helping any of his family in need. As a matter of a fact I have never known anyone in this family to refuse to help another human being.
So sad.. : 9/22/2009
You are just so sad... it's easy enough to make comments when you do not have to identify yourself...isn't it? I hope Sean realizes what a wonderful family he comes from. Not only have we given over 80 thousand dollars worth of scholarships to graduating Greenport students in memory of our cousins Sean and Tim Heaney, we give of our time as well. We are very involved in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Wish Factory, Church, CCD, PTA and countless other activities that give back to our community. My family has taught me the meaning of strength, loyalty and love. I thank God that I am part of it every day. We must all keep in mind that we have made mistakes and many of us, me included, have been given a second chance. I hope that when my children make mistakes, and they will, that my family will be there with all the support and love they have shown Sean. Patty Heaney Hocker
Gimme A Break : 9/22/2009
Gimme a Break….wow, you sound so bitter! People make mistakes and luckily for Sean he can walk away from this with a valuable lesson learned. It could have had a different outcome, BUT IT DIDN’T! Shame on the Suffolk Times for allowing people to be able to post comments and not sign their name to them! And, Shame on you again…. sure did find room enough to report this news on the 2nd and 3rd pages of your paper. The Heaney Family has collected over 85 thousand dollars over 20 years to give back to our community…. can’t find room for that can you? Five Greenport girls ages 14-15 earned their Silver Award , the second highest award in Girl Scouting…couldn’t find room for that either. I am proud to be part of the Heaney Family, Theresa Heaney Bubb
GIMME A BREAK : 9/21/2009
Your comment was full of nothing but hate and anger!!!! Sounds like you must have a daughter, who dated a CLOWN!!! Who must of been busted for selling drugs, slapping around his girlfriend or killing someone while drunk !!!!!!!!!!!! Or could it just be your past you have not dealt with??????? Just keep throwing stones, oh yeah, Did You Pray Today? This CLOWN IS PRAYING FOR YOU!!!!! Laura Heaney
head in the sand : 9/21/2009
At Westhampton Beach HS the same kid was arrested twice for dealing prescription drugs IN SCHOOL and he is not only back in school he is playing varsity soccer. Talk about inconsistency!
: 9/21/2009
I hope this CLOWN does END UP like the rest of my family! Strong people who have learned how to survive tragedy, murder and to support and help each other when faced with unfortunate circumstances. Survivor's Signed; Maria Heaney O'Callaghan
gimme a break : 9/21/2009
this kid signed a contract with the school that he agreed to forfeit the privilege of playing sports. so what does he do? gets drunk and drives a car. so let him resume doing what he likes and ignore the fact that he signed a contract. so when he gets busted for selling drugs, slapping around his girlfriend or killing someone while drunk it will be ok because he plays HIGH SCHOOL sports. this clown will end up like the rest of his family.
SEAN HEANEY : 9/19/2009
Look at this young mans accomplishments!!! granted he made a horrible mistake, and thank God no one was hurt!!! To take away his sports, which he loves, and has made the school very proud, as has his brother, Father, Aunt, and both Uncles Tim and Sean R.I.P. To take away the honor that he holds dearly in his heart, and has worked for his whole schooling years, would be wrong. Sean needs guidence and support for his extremly poor judgement. The courts will also take this quite seriously. I am asking that everyone look at themselfs, if you are perfect, then go ahead and judge!!!! We are talking about a young mans future, his scholorships which rightfully should , and would be his, and not for being drunk in school, absent, or disrespectful, but carrying on the legacy of good sportsmanship, academics, and extra activities that made Greenport proud, which all the Children of Bernie and Marie Heaney have shown. The Heaney and Goff children of Florida have also kept this legacy going, We are all Proud people, and yes, we to make mistakes,Pay our dues and carry on!!! I plead with you to give Sean the right to play out his dreams, go to collage, and show you all ,that wrongs can be made right!!!!!
Mistakes : 9/18/2009
I am fully aware that there should be some sort of punishment for this student. He will lose his license for some time. He walks around with this head down feeling ashamed knowing he did wrong. Thank God no one was hurt or worse. I bet you he replays that night over and over in his head wishing he made a different chioce. A decision on suspending him for the year with out the courts decision is like conviting him with out a trial. Sometimes evidence is wrong, mishandled and even tested wrong. What seems to be one thing can be another. For those to say the coaches are fighting for him because of football scores is absurbed - did you follow the team last year? What you are suggesting is crazy -- yes this is a great athlete but one player does not make the team, oh yeah and it is not the coach, he can only coach as good as his worst player. Could he get a scholorship - why not -- should he be able to try -- YES! The crime would be not allowing him to play and losing the chance for a scholarship and then finding out he might be not guilty. (We are all not guilty till we are found guilty by a court of law) Then who should we convict on that crime? the School? the Administrators? the cop? To vent against Mr. McKenna - is absurb too. He has a right to his own opinion just like you and me and he is only suggesting what his opinion on this matter is. -- And yes he does know what is going on in Mattituck HS, but maybe the parents of Mattituck HS students should pay more attention to what is happening with thier kids before blaming the school. But to try to correlate what happened here with what happened to the child in Hampton Bays is wrong and totally out of place. Different situation, different chain of event. Just remember " Those of you without sin, should cast the first stone" We are all guilty as adults of doing something we know is wrong or illegial, ie eating while driving, havin a beer or two then driving, putting makeup on and driving, talking or texting while driving -- turning around to yell at the kids or to hit one, trying to get a bottle that fell behind the seat. Think about it before you talk or write!!
Mr. McKenna : 9/18/2009
Shame on you Mr. Mckenna, if I were you I'd take a look around the building and deal with the problems within.
School Policys : 9/18/2009
Maybe the policy in Greenport was created so that everyone is treated the same. You may also find out that the policies concerning these types of incidents in the other school district are so liberal so that there star performers are not penalized so that they may win they big title. This my friends is politics as usual, so some people can be tretaed differently. You may also want to check why they have to get new carpet in the other districts every other year. Most of their problems are swept under the rug. It's unfortunate that this had to happen, but think just a little what if in didn't.
Sean Heany : 9/17/2009
Before everyone jumps to conclusions ask yourself this: what kind of effect do you think suspending this kid from all sports will have? being an athlete in high school i remember that playing 3 sports throughout the year was half of my life, the other half being school itself. I believe Sean, like myself, has dedicated his life to playing sports, the only effect this suspension will have is a negative one. It will lead to depression, and more bad behavior. I'm not saying punishment should be dismissed, but give the right punishment. Don't take away everything this kid loves, that will just make the situation worse. I recommend assigning community service.
Car wreck : 9/17/2009
Not sure why the article omits any mention of the details of the 'car wreck', apparently this kids actions had consequences and property was damaged and people may have been hurt and injured as a result of those actions - this may make this a bit more serious than just some poorly thought out Saturday night activities by someone who is supposed to, and has agreed to, behave as a leader with all that entails. Additionally, this article would have benefited from a discussion of this accident so other high school students who no doubt read it would have gotten a concrete understanding of the result of the actions - although many of us on the NF have lived through the horror of friends being injured or killed because of drunk driving details of this wreck would serve as a reminder, even if, as I hope, no one was injured. It does seem that the school could suspend him from sports and other activities until his guilt is determined in the proper way - it comes across as a bit final when it could end up he is not convicted - after all innocent until proven guilty is a pretty American concept - I would encourage the school to clarify their policy both for this instance and going forward. An arrest should lead to immediate suspension pending final outcome, with conviction formalizing the suspension into a ban and an acquittal resulting in immediate resumption of eligibility with communication of that to those the student requests it go to. Last, Mr. McKenna's opinion appears to be a bit off base to me - he is not the superintendent of Greenport and it strikes me as a bit inappropriate to have him voicing an opinion on another districts policy in this matter. Mr. Gamberg seems to have got the right approach. I think that it would be a better use of the Superintendent of Mattituck's time to focus on his work and addressing his policy to be sure it is clear - as reported it is far from clear and sends a message of something significantly less than the zero tolerance needed for drug (and I include alcohol as a drug) abuse in the school he is responsible for managing. As someone who knows of too many deaths of kids from drunk driving I am pleased to see the school implementing this program - it sends a strong message and will act as a deterrent. Congratulations Greenport SD for caring about the lives of your children and developing a real way to implement that concern. Mr. Heaney may not get a sports scholarship but we can hope that he and others may live to enjoy their life after HS as a result of this policy. Thank you.
Drunk Driver student : 9/17/2009
The fact that the coach and parents are complaining about the punishment is absurd. They are more concerned about the schools winning record then the real lesson being taught. That lesson is RESPONSIBILITY. The student chose to break the law. That endangered his life as well as everyone else who crossed his path. including innocent men women and children. Now He is learning that his actions have consequences. That is a far more important lesson learned then next weeks football score.
Mistakes in our Youth : 9/17/2009
You can choose to look in the rear view mirror or look forward to assisting a young person in getting their priorities straight. Punishment should fit the situation. As far as I know, no one was killed or injured . A year long suspension does not seem appropriate for the transgression.
drunk heaney kid : 9/17/2009
I like this quote: "Sometimes that's the only chance kids have," football coach Jim Anderson said. Does anybody recall the 15 year old Hampton Bays child that was killed by a drunk driver last month? did he have a chance?
