Chicago considers new coaching rules

CHICAGO, March 24 (UPI) -- A proposed overhaul of the Chicago Public High Schools Athletic Association bylaws would ban coaches from "displays of temper" including pushing and paddling.

The proposal, which comes after allegations last fall that at least four coaches at Chicago Public Schools had struck or paddled athletes under their supervision, would also force coaches to attend annual training sessions and pass criminal background checks, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday.

Patrick Rocks, a lawyer for the school district, said CPS officials want to make it clear that they don't support any form of corporal punishment.

"We're trying to send a message. We're trying to make it crystal clear that this is not acceptable behavior,'' Rocks told the newspaper.

Some coaches raised concerns that the "displays of temper" provision in the proposal is too vague.

"I really understand where they are going but you have to wonder a little who's going to be running things -- the kids or us,'' Simeon High School boys basketball coach Robert Smith, said to the Sun-Times. "It's not going to bother my approach to coaching but I don't think I should be suspended for yelling at kids.''