Fund-raiser turns bad for coach

Adam Candee

Tuesday, April 8, 2003 | 9:35 a.m.

Dave Castro thought that selling hot dogs and sodas at the recent NASCAR race in Las Vegas might be a good way to raise money for his Eldorado football team.

A month later, a stunned Castro, fired as Sundevils head coach last week by prinicpal Tom Barberini, wonders how a fund-raiser cost him his job.

"I'm still a little baffled from the whole thing," Castro said.

Barberini declined to discuss Castro's situation Monday, citing school district rules governing personnel matters. He said the school intends to hire a new coach by the end of April.

"This is a personnel decision and we do not discuss personnel decisions," Barberini said.

Castro and Sundevils junior football player Robbie Achord said missteps by Eldorado assistant coaches working the fund-raising concession booth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb. 28 are behind the firing.

On the suggestion of a parent, Castro decided to work a concession stand at LVMS to raise money for his program. Castro asked Eldorado coaches and teachers to help work the booth, writing a memo that included details of when to show up and where to meet.

Castro and three assistant coaches used personal leave time Friday, the first day of the three-day race event. The problem apparently stems from two assistant coaches who marked their Friday absence form as sick leave, then came to the race to work the booth.

"(Barberini) thought I was lying to him, that we didn't work NASCAR," Castro said.

Castro said that he did not ask any Eldorado staff to use sick leave to work the fund-raiser. Barberini investigated the improper use of sick time by the assistant coaches and decided that the head coach was responsible for the situation.

"What I was told from inside sources is that (Barberini's) just (ticked) off," Castro said.

Achord said he met with Barberini and the principal explained that the situation with the fund-raiser led to Castro's dismissal.

Castro remains at Eldorado as a teacher, although he is exploring other options that would allow him to coach again.

Castro led Eldorado to a 7-13 record in two years, and had a large group of seniors returning for 2003.

"I feel sad for the kids," Castro said. "They're kind of in disarray right now. I didn't even get a chance to get this program rocking and rolling."

News of Castro's dismissal shocked some Sundevils.

"We were on our way to a pretty good team this year," Achord said. "For (Barberini) to fire a coach four months before the season starts is kind of ridiculous.

"I think Mr. Barberini is just basically giving up on us."