Baldwin soccer coach, player and team penalized

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Baldwin High was handed a yellow card and its boys soccer coach and a senior player were given red cards yesterday by the principals in charge of Hawai'i high school sports championships.

Reacting to an official being pushed to the ground by a Baldwin player at the state tournament, the executive board of the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association ruled that:

• Baldwin boys soccer coach Fred Guzman is banned from coaching in state tournaments in any sport for five years.
• Baldwin senior Eugene "Ekolu" Saffery III is permanently banned from participation in state high school sports events.
• Baldwin's boys soccer team is on "conduct probation" for one year, extending through next year's state tournament.

"Conduct probation," said Keith Amemiya, executive director of the HHSAA, "means they are eligible to compete, but they will be monitored closely for their conduct throughout the regular season and in the state tournament — should they qualify — and any similar action will likely lead to further sanctions.

"If the soccer team and their coaches behave the way they are supposed to behave, there shouldn't be any problem next year."

The permanent ban on Saffery has no actual effect as he is a senior and does not participate in any spring sport.

"The board felt strongly that it had to send a stern message that any attack on an official would not be tolerated," said Amemiya, "and our officials need to know that they are valued and respected and will be protected from physical injury."

Saffery pushed referee Kaleo Benz to the ground immediately after the end of a quarterfinal game at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium on Feb. 12. Pearl City had scored in the final 57 seconds to upset previously undefeated Baldwin, 4-3.

The incident was witnessed by dozens of players and fans and the board of directors watched it on videotape during their hour-long, closed discussion yesterday at the Kamehameha Schools.

Baldwin voluntarily forfeited its next game, and was eliminated from the tournament.

Benz, who was not injured, has filed a criminal assault complaint, which the Ho-nolulu Police Department is investigating.

"I have been refereeing for almost 15 years and nothing like this has ever happened to me before," he said. "I was shocked at what he did to me. There is a line where a player can not cross."

Benz said he had given Saffery a yellow (warning) card in the second half for arguing a call with the linesman. "It was a very emotionally charged game," Benz said.

Saffery reportedly was suspended from school for the balance of the semester, but has continued to attend classes while he appeals. He is scheduled to graduate next month.

Saffery said last night, "I don't feel like commenting."

"I'm mortified that happened," Baldwin coach Guzman said after the game. "What he did was totally unacceptable."

Apparently, Guzman's apology was not enough for the HHSAA board.

"Part of reason for the severe punishment of the head coach was overwhelming evidence received by the HHSAA regarding numerous acts of bad sportsmanship by members of the Baldwin soccer team throughout the season," Amemiya said. "There was a severe lack of discipline and control over the program, which played a role in the incident involving the player and the referee.

"We were also given reports by many people who attended the game, including Baldwin parents, of misbehavior by several Baldwin players throughout the game," he added. "It wasn't just the post-game incident that factored into the board's decision on punishment."

Baldwin has won five of the last six Maui Interscholastic League championships under Guzman. In 1993, Guzman coached the Bears into the state final, where they lost to Kalaheo, 1-0.

Maui Interscholastic League principals will meet April 25 and could add their own sanctions.

Guzman and Baldwin High athletic director Jon Garcia could not be reached for comment last night.