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Two head coaches of Wendover’s great Basin Youth Football League have been banned for life from coaching and in a separate punishment banned from the West Wendover High school ball fields falling a violent confrontation in a Tuesday game.
Head Coaches Luis Perez and Frank Sanchez were told Wednesday that their careers as little league football coaches were over immediately and forever by league president Bob Loncar.
“It is a real shame that this had to happen, but there is no excuse whatsoever for their actions,” Loncar said. “This is not what football is all about and in complete violation of our league’s by-laws. I know and like both Luis and Frank but actions have consequences. It is a shame that they ended up like this, but we cannot tolerate that kind of behavior.”
At the end of the game Tuesday instead of exchanging handshakes the two coaches exchanged punches. Police reports differ on who struck the first blow and neither man was arrested at the scene.
However the case has been referred to the Elko County District Attorney that may result in criminal charges against one or both men.
In addition to the league life time ban, the two men are also banned from West Wendover High School playing fields for an indefinite period.
“We have a responsibility to protect the people who use our facilities,” said Elko School Superintendent Jeff Zander. “That kind of behavior will never be tolerated.”
Tuesday’s game was a tie breaker to determine the first seed in playoffs till scheduled for next week.
“The season will continue,” Loncar added. “The assistant coaches of each of their teams will take over.”
But while this season will crown a champion the future of little league football in Wendover could be in doubt.
It was only thanks to the almost herculean efforts of organizer Bob Loncar there was little league football for Wendover kids this year.
“It was a close thing,” Loncar said this August. “But we have just enough players to put together three teams. We would love more kids to sign up but now we can have a season.”
For the second time in as many years little league football was in danger of being canceled for lack of participation.
The league has been in operation for about seven years and features intra city play among three teams.
It was founded by Loncar, first to instill in Wendover elementary school children the love of the game of football and also to help improve the performance of the local high school football team the West Wendover Wolverines.
“There is a direct connection between having a good little league program and having a good high school program.” Loncar said. “Look at the State Champions of ten years ago. That was the first time the entire team had little league experience before playing high school ball. If we don’t have a decent little league program I am afraid we will never see another state championship.”
