SRJC baseball coach Damon Neidlinger target of anonymous accusations
This should be the best of times for Damon Neidlinger. His Santa Rosa Junior College baseball team is coming off a state championship, he’s the reigning Nor-Cal Coach of the Year, and autumn marks the beginning of both a new school year and a new round of offseason workouts.
Instead, Neidlinger is waiting to hear the results of a college inquiry that was prompted by an anonymous letter.
“It’s tough to defend yourself when you’re called to the mat on something and there are no details behind it, no one to talk to,” SRJC athletic director Matt Markovich said.
Neidlinger and others close to the Bear Cubs baseball program are vexed that an unsigned letter could prompt so much activity. But others recognize the situation as symptomatic of an era when many student-athletes (and their parents) demand gentler treatment, and institutions are keen to show they take complaints seriously.
Neidlinger continues to coach as the SRJC human resources department investigates. Meanwhile, alumni of the team are rising to his defense. Several, after getting wind of the accusatory letter and The Press Democrat’s investigation, emailed long and strongly worded defenses of Neidlinger.
“The greatest wisdom I had ever received at that program was when Damon told us that we could only be successful ballplayers if we accept the truth (about our talent),” wrote Santo Militello, who played for Neidlinger from 2003 to 2005. “ … I knew my weaknesses and I had to figure out how to win with my strengths. Because of that, I became a better ballplayer and was able to play at another level (I was paid to play baseball in the Italian pro leagues). I also was able to carry that over into the real world. I was able to attend Oxford University and I now own my own business. I am positive none of these accomplishments would exist without attending Damon’s baseball program.”
The anonymous letter that sparked the controversy, dated Oct. 14, states in part:
“Observers have witnessed, and student athletes have reported Coach Damon Neidlinger screams profanities at them, intimidates and threatens them and makes negative and inappropriate comments related to their body type, physical appearance, weight, intellect, athleticism, and performance. These interactions with players are occurring on a regular and daily basis in front of peers, causing significant humiliation, and reduced self-esteem and personal confidence.”
The author goes on to cite specific sections of the SRJC Faculty Professional Ethics Code and the California Community College Athletic Association Coaches Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics that he or she claims Neidlinger has violated.
Markovich received a copy from athletic counselor Filomena Avila, who was copied on the original mailing, and passed it along to human resources on Oct. 20. Markovich said he knew of no particular timeline for the fact-finding process.
“They didn’t express anything to me, but from what I know from my experience, they’d consult with legal services at the school, send them the letter, see what they think and wait for advice,” Markovich said.
The athletic director said he wasn’t aware of any previous complaints about Neidlinger.
“I started working here in July of 2015, so just over a year ago, and I’ve never heard a bad thing about Damon,” said Markovich, who played baseball at SRJC between stints at St. Vincent de Paul High School and Sonoma State. “Parents have called or emailed about other coaches, but I’ve never had one about him. And if I did, I would run it down.
“What bothers me, with it being anonymous, if it is a kid I’d want to help him. In my 16 months here, we’ve been very clear that we hold our coaches to a very high standard of ethics.”
Neidlinger, as you might imagine, wasn’t thrilled to be dragged into a tempest on the heels of one of his best seasons. He is proud of his two state titles, his five conference coach of the year awards, his overall .651 winning percentage and the 73 players he has transferred to Division I programs since 1997.
He seems even prouder of helping players develop into confident young men.
“You want me to have my seven former players who are CHPs, my 10 police officers, my one guy who’s going into the FBI right now, you want to talk to them and all their parents?” Neidlinger said. “You want to download my file of guys who stay in touch with me every year? It’s why I am the way I am, and I attack life. To handle adversity, to handle pressure.”
Neidlinger is frequently described as “passionate” or “fiery.” He admits he can be blunt with his players, but denies he crosses the line into abuse.
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