Barely three years removed from the peak of achieving a first-ever state championship, the Skaneateles football team may have to move ahead without the head coach who helped put it together – though the matter might not get resolved until it goes to court.
Joe Sindoni, who had led the Lakers to that 2017 state title along with four Section III titles, was removed from his position in reaction to an event that took place in late November.
With its football season delayed until “fall season II” in March, current and former Skaneateles players gathered on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26 at Hyatt Stadium.
They called it the “Turkey Bowl” and at least 20 people were present. Sindoni was also present. and later said he urged all participants to observe social distancing and to wear masks.
In the days that followed, more than three dozen Skaneateles residents were diagnosed with COVID-19, which some attributed to the Turkey Bowl. Approximately 100 students and adults from the school district were quarantined.
It wasn’t until Jan. 19, according to a member of the Skaneateles Varsity and Modified Football Boosters, that Sindoni was informed of his removal. This was nearly two months after the Turkey Bowl outing.
Less than a week later, on Jan. 25, Skaneateles School District superintendent Eric Knuth sent a letter to district residents explaining the decision to remove Sindoni.
“These gatherings jeopardized the safety of students, faculty, and staff and contributed to conditions that eliminated our ability to provide continuous in-person instruction,” the letter said.
The school district has since posted on its web site that it is “seeking a highly qualified, motivated, and dedicated individual to coach our boys varsity football team.”
When the Skaneateles Board of Education met on Tuesday, emails and messages both in support of Sindoni and supporting the district’s decision were made public.
Ironically, Sindoni took over the head coaching job after his predecessor, Tim Green, resigned in November 2011 amid controversy over whether some of the players on what was an undefeated Lakers’ roster transferred in from other districts without going through all the necessary processes.
Sindoni took over and, in 2012, the Lakers won the sectional Class C championship. Five years later, led by record-setting quarterback Patrick Hackler, Skaneateles went all the way to the state Class C title, following it up with sectional and regional Class B crowns in 2018.
It remains unknown who will coach the Lakers when it begins practices in early March, part of “fall sports II”. Football was one of the “high-risk” sports which the New York State Department of Health approved to start late in January.
Partially, this is due to Sindoni taking legal action, suing the school district to reclaim his coaching position until, he says, he has an opportunity to address the allegations.
This suit was filed in Onondaga County Supreme Court, with a hearing scheduled for Feb. 10.
