In Protest at the firing of Coach Chad Zitzner

1:54 am PDT, Aug 15, Léo Martin, California

9:33 pm PDT, Aug 5, Lana Griffin, California
Coach Z was & is an inspiration to my son Jesse. Jesse is considering a job in the teaching/coaching field largely due to his excellent mentoring.

1:33 pm PDT, Aug 2, ANDREW LEWIS, California
ANDREW LEWIS

Coach "Z" was very considerate and helpful to my family as we tried to juggle sport and school work. He's a good guy who shouldn't have been treated so poorly.

6:31 pm PDT, Jul 30, Frank Ng, California
Coach Z has been a supportive and encouraging person in the past three years of my son's life at Mountain View HS Basketball. I have witnessed his dedication and rapport with other students as well as a coach and as a memeber of the Mountain View community and family. I support re-instating Coach Z.

6:27 pm PDT, Jul 29, Edwin Jeng, California

3:06 pm PDT, Jul 29, Name not displayed, California
I often visited the badminton team and the coach seemed to have a good connection with his students which I believe is a quality that is essential to being a good coach.

I feel a bit sad that future students cannot experience coach Z as their coach.

4:17 pm PDT, Jul 28, Name not displayed, California
Coach Z is a very dedicated instructor who motivates us to become better athletes. IMO, he does a better job of keeping us updated than the regular badminton coach. It just wouldn't have been the same without him.

10:56 am PDT, Jul 28, George Ikinaga, California
My son Jonathan Ikinaga has benefited greatly from coach Z's instruction. Please consider retaining coach Z as part of the sports program for Mountain View High School.

I would like to see coach Z continue instructing at Mountain View High School.

3:48 pm PDT, Jul 27, Name not displayed, California
Even though he wasn't my coach, he helped me improve my skills by offering jump camp and sometimes came up to me after my games to offer his advice.

I feel that it is unjust for the new AD to fire Coach Z who has been working tirelessly to improve our athletic program. He has done nothing wrong and this petition proves that he is loved and needed here at Mountain View High School.

1:44 pm PDT, Jul 27, Kirk Bragas, California
I feel that coach Z not only has taught me how to play but has taught me to be a better person. Some of the things I have used in life that has made me the person I am is becuase of coach Z. He is the only person that I still keep in touch with after I have left high school. To fire him without even allowing him the opportunity to coach is unethical and just goes to show the kind of credibility and personality this new AD has. This is a clear case of prejudice and the district should have zero tolerance for such behavior.

Again it is immoral and unethical to fore someone who did nothin to harm, taint, jeoprodize the program nor it's athletes. If coach Z gets fired for doing his job, then the AD should be in prison for violating rules. The point is coach Z did nothing to deserve his involuntary termination. He is more than a coach, he is a great person and is the face of MV athletics.

11:48 am PDT, Jul 27, Name not displayed, California

2:48 am PDT, Jul 27, Nelson Yu, California
I've known him for 7 years now so I have gotten to him personally as more than just my coach. He's helped me become a better player along with a better overall person throughout the years. It's not often you can come across people that devote so much time and energy into helping someone else go further in life. When people are young, they do stupid things that

are almost always misunderstood or are disapproved of by others. I, like many others did a lot of dumb things and while everybody else pushed me aside and classified me as another rebel kid, Z understood and was there to laugh at me as well as help me regain respect from peers and elders. It was absolutely appalling to hear that Z was let go after all his dedication to the program and the athletes' lives. I dare the new AD to match half of what Z has done for the members of the community. From what i hear, he will be lucky to get close to half.

5:07 pm PDT, Jul 26, Name not displayed, California

2:03 pm PDT, Jul 26, Joanne Lewis, California

11:29 am PDT, Jul 26, Name not displayed, California

2:58 pm PDT, Jul 25, John Appler, California
I have spent hundreds of hours watching Coach Z coach, encourage, teach and interact with his players

Never have I seen a coach who has such a passion and knowledge of basketball and who has helped so many kids, over so many years, be treated so unfairly. If we allow this injustice to stand, what are we teaching the students about fairness, decency and the values of Mountain View High School ?

3:42 am PDT, Jul 24, Idean Lahiji, California
craziness

11:31 pm PDT, Jul 23, Brett Hughes, California
Coach Z has always had faith in me whenever he put me in the game, he know where i was comfortable on the court and allowed me to excel there but he also pushed me out of my comfort zone to make me a better player. He put in so much of his own time trying to help me, along with my teammates, improve: opening the gym throughout the summer and on weekends, holding additional jump camps, and even letting us come over to his house early Saturday mornings and play at a park near his house. He's been an outstanding coach and I wouldn't be where i am now without him.

I feel it was handled extremely poorly with very little notice and that the people who would be affected by this decision had no say in the matter.

11:13 pm PDT, Jul 23, Monica Frankel, California
Coach Z has been an exemplary member of the staff at Mountain View High School. He has dedicated himself to teaching and inspiring students to improve themselves. It is a great shame for the school to lose such an asset.

It is difficult to comprehend why Coach Z is being let go.

1:06 pm PDT, Jul 23, Name not displayed, California
Great he has taught me so many things in life and also basketball

Feel it wasnt fair

6:48 pm PDT, Jul 22, Jonathan Ikinaga, California
Coach Z helped me become a better basketball player and a harder worker. He's a great motivator and he devotes so much of his life to us. Z always makes himself available to us and uses every opportunity to make us better. He's had me and a few others over to his house every Saturday at 7 in the morning to play basketball even before he holds open gym at 11 that same morning. Coach Z is the best coach I've had.

Coach Z getting laid off is BS. The new athletic director didn't even evaluate Z as a coach.

6:01 pm PDT, Jul 22, Name not displayed, California

3:27 pm PDT, Jul 22, Mark Good, California
Coach Z is much more than a basketball coach. He is a friend, leader, mentor, and a great person. He is one of those coaches that you would run through a brick wall for. Much more, he is there for his players on AND off the court. He sees the potential that we as players might not have seen in ourselves. He has done as much to improve his players as athletes, students, and human beings as any coach I'll ever get the opportunity to play for.

I am absolutly stunned at the release of Coach Z from Mountain View Basketball. Not only should he be reinstated, he should be given a very long and hard consideration to fill the Head Coaching vacancy at the Varsity level. Anyone who has played for him will undoubtedly attest to that. What has transpired is completely absurd and must be resolved in the appropriate manner.

2:06 pm PDT, Jul 22, Name not displayed, California
I played for Z for my first two years on the frosh-soph squad. In that time, he taught me how to push myself, and made me a much better and smarter player. The combination of toughness while still keeping it loose with humor makes him an outstanding coach. The knowledge i gained while playing for him was the reason I was able to go on and succeed at the varsity level.

Coach Z served as Frosh-Soph coach for a respectable time and now is more than deserving the Varsity Head Coach position. Whomever this new AD is, he didn't think this through, and this firing will be detrimental to the basketball program if not resolved.

1:56 pm PDT, Jul 22, Brandon Scott, California
Coach Z is a big Part of Mountain View basketball. He always tries his best to better his players and teaches them more then basketball. He is a good friend and mentor to all his players and his players friends and his release is absolutly appauling.

I think it is rediculous. Hire Coach Z back

10:55 am PDT, Jul 22, Name not displayed, California
Coach Z was the basketball coach and he has helped me get better as a player and as a student at Mountain View High. He has challenged me on and off the court to try new things. Ee is always there for his team never leaving them behind with games and practice he is always there. He has helped us even on days that we don't have practice to let us come workout with him if its at Rancho for running or if its to go to the park for a workout. Coach Z made me and the rest of the team much better by doing this.

I think it is not right because he did nothing wrong. I think they should re hire him instead of having this new A.D. that doesn't know what he is doing take over this team.

6:54 pm PDT, Jul 7, Name not displayed, California
coach is a really cool, and respects badminton very much even though he's new to the sport. He has great experience with the atheletes and has great motivation for them to improve their game.

I believe that coach Z should not get fire because he's a great coach as well as a good friends to many of the athletes. Laiding off Coach Z would be a great lost to the community as well as the athletic program of MVHS

4:03 pm PDT, Jun 29, Jeanne Muller, California
Coach Z is a kind, funny, and dedicated mentor to all of the kids he coaches, to say the least. As he coaches both the Boys Basketball and Co-ed Badminton teams, his dismissal would impact a large group of MVHS students. Personally, Coach Z has helped me achieve many of my own athletic and fitness goals. When I, a doubles badminton player, wanted to try playing singles, he placed me in singles during a match. When I asked for help finding workout moves to tone up, he suggested and demonstrated some. This encouragement and support is invaluable, and all the more effective coming from a younger yet greatly respected leader like Coach Z. We all understand that, with the state of the economy, cuts are going to have to happen somewhere. However, we hope that the school will recognize that Chad Zitzner is too important a part of our community - our team - to be cut.

3:32 am PDT, Jun 25, Steve Klein, Virginia

8:11 pm PDT, Jun 24, Name not displayed, California
In my freshman year I had played badminton on the JV team under Coach Z. I wasn't that great since it was the first year I had really played badminton, but I was motivated to improve since Coach Z always encouraged us to work harder, and he put in effort to keep us on track. Also, he was very friendly and very approachable.

I'm shocked that this was done without consulting the athletes who have trained with him and even more shocking, without seeing Coach Z coach. I don't think it's fair at all. I really do hope this petition will help and make the new athletic director reconsider this decision.

6:24 pm PDT, Jun 24, Sonia Rackelmann, California
Coach Z is one of the few coaches I've experienced whom is not only a leader whom I deeply respect, but I also admire just as a person. He's very dedicated to helping others and giving to his community even through his career (made obvious by him not only being a coach, but a teacher at a school for troubled teens who have gotten into legal trouble). I not only consider Coach Z the best coach I've ever had, but also a good person in general whom I am honored to have had as a coach.

I find it extremely unfair that Coach Z is being laid off after putting so much of his life into coaching. Ten years is a long time to put into anything, and Coach Z has moved from not only contributing to basketball, but being the only reason that Badminton stayed alive over the last 2 years. Without him, the badminton team will not be nearly as organized or successful.

9:50 am PDT, Jun 24, Name not displayed, California
Z has only been my coach for this summer, but has run many practices with the JV team previously. He is a very dedicated coach and is very close with the team. His impact on my basketball skills are far more significant that any one else, and I enjoy having him as my coach and my friend.

Coach Z is very committed and well known, I was devastated to hear that he would be leaving us this past Sunday. Just yesterday I was at the YMCA and a man saw the Mountain View basketball T-shirt I was wearing and asked about Z. I met the new AD on the last day of school and he was talking about how he coached basketball and badminton. That is what Z coaches and it felt like he wanted to get those positions for himself. I feel like Z has already done so much for Mountain View and his seniority at least gives him the right to argue with the support of others for his position.

1:28 am PDT, Jun 24, Pam Boland, Georgia

12:31 am PDT, Jun 24, Name not displayed, California
The humor that he brings to the courts can not be replaced and he has a personal bond with every single member of the team. He willingly takes time out of his schedule outside of school to help train those who want extra help and is knowledgeable and wellrounded, able to train people from different sports. During the short badminton season I spent with him, Coach Z spent time to know me personally. He may not have known how to coach specific badminton drills, but he knew how to keep me motivated and strength/stamina train me for the position that I played. He attended everyone of my games and was one of my best companions during the five hour waits between my league and championship games, never failing to calm my nerves, make me laugh, or give me pointers on how to play.

Personally, I am shocked that this is happening as Coach Z is an integral member of the Mtn.View Athletics. He has done nothing but good for the teams he has coached.

10:06 pm PDT, Jun 23, Preston Ng, California
Coach Z has been an inspiration and a role model to all of us who has been under his wing when he coached. He has helped me develop my game as an individual and has been there as a friend as well anytime I needed someone to talk to.

I do not feel laying off Coach Z is a smart decision, he has shown dedication to the program, with an extraordinary amount of organization.

10:02 pm PDT, Jun 23, Stephen Johnson, California
coach z is a great coach i really like him he help me get a shot which i really needed hes deserves to be mountain view varsity basketball coach that's all we want is for coach z to come back (speaking for players)

i think its really dumb they need to realize what they are doing the new AD needs to try and be a assistant coach first because coach z taught us players a lot and firing him mountain view is heading down hill as long as he is gone do they need to rehire him

9:56 pm PDT, Jun 23, Name not displayed, California
Coach Z has been an outstanding coach for the 2 years that I have been on the badminton team. He is encouraging, intelligent, and most of all, fun to be around. During games, Coach Z encourages players to do their best all the time. His methods for training are extremely effective. Coach Z is also caring and fun to be around. Not only is he an impressive coach, but he is also a very good friend.

If Coach Z would to be laid off, it would be completely unfair. Coach Z has been a dedicated member of the Mountain View Sports staff for 10 years, and to be laid off would be out of the question.

8:26 pm PDT, Jun 23, Steven Guzman, California
Coach Z has been an AMAZING coach! I've never learned so much and been able to experience a bonding team like the one I had with him. Coach Z is really more then a coach he is family. He treats us like adults and also helps communicate our thoughts. His coaching is amazing and he really knows how to interact with his players. We played badminton this year and as a team leader Chad Zitzner should not be fired!

I feel like that is BULL. He's a great coach! NOT only is he getting laid off he hasn't even had a chance to show his coaching skill!? Why don't you ask his players and they'll tell you he is more then a Coach!

2:39 pm PDT, Jun 23, Name not displayed, California
As a basketball player I have learned from Coach Z on and off of the court. He has always been willing to be a friend and mentor instead of just a coach. Coach Z has definitely had a positive impact on both the athletics program at Mountain View and the people it produces.

After Coach Z's contribution to the school, he should at least be fully evaluated before being let go. Although the new Athletic Director technically does have preference for coaching jobs, Coach Z's performance should be taken into account instead of laying him off without any sort of justification.

1:16 pm PDT, Jun 23, Anthony Delivanis, California
Coach Z has always brought a fun atmosphere to the gym every time there is a practice or game. He gets along well with everyone, and lightens the mood with random jokes. He is also very knowledgeable in the field of personal training, as he has trained athletes who wish to excel in their sport. Coach Z was not only a great coach, but also a nice friend to talk to during downtime.

I feel that there is no justified reason to fire Coach Z after these ten years he has dedicated to MV. He is a great coach and role model to look up to and talk to. If Coach Z is fired from his job at MVHS, I feel sorry for the athletes who will miss out on the knowledge, lightheartedness, sportsmanship, and experience that Coach Z has to offer.

1:02 pm PDT, Jun 23, Name not displayed, California
I have only known Coach Z for short amount of time but as a player he made me way better for basketball. He put so much time and effort into coaching us all by giving up days that we don't have practice to let us come do workouts with him to make sure we get better. Also, Z has been very helpful to his players by giving us rides to and from practice and games if we don't have one which helped us all alot. This means alot because he cares about his players so much that it is ashame to get rid of him with him not even doing anything wrong.

I think it is not right that he is fired because he did nothing wrong and he is a great coach. He has been teaching us how to be better on and off the court with sports and in school. he is dedicated to the team for basketball and badminton and wants the best for their future. Coach Z definately does not deserve this.

12:52 pm PDT, Jun 23, Name not displayed, California
yo dawg he's awesome

i think it's unfair. he's a very good coach.

12:26 pm PDT, Jun 23, Name not displayed, California
He's been a coach that is not only helpful in actually getting fit for the season, but great to talk to in general.

He's been a great coach and definitely doesn't deserve to be laid off. He always tries to give us extra time to play and keeps our games organized.

12:15 pm PDT, Jun 23, Name not displayed, California
Even though he started out as a Basketball coach, he always showed enthusiasm to our sport. Badminton is one of the sports that MVHS partakes in that is looked down upon. Coach Z wasn't one of these people. He pushed us to do better, to work harder, and aim higher. That's the kind of person he is.

12:12 pm PDT, Jun 23, Ahmad Deen, California
Coach Z has been an amazing inspiration to me. After 10 years of playing sports, I had heart surgery, to which the year after i played no sports (my freshman year of high school). due to my inactivity, my stamina and body condition deteriorated. The next year, i could not make the basketball or soccer teams, games that i had played extensively in the past, due to my low stamina. I tried out for badminton, following my brother's footsteps. Although i made the team, my stamina was still quite low, nothing like it had been before. Coach Z offered to train me, and for many weeks, he helped me work up my stamina through body and weight training.

I feel that it is not only unfair to Coach Z that he has to be fired without any respect to his seniority in coaching, but it is also unfair to the athletes whom Coach Z has worked with over the years. It's ridiculous that someone could make this decision without the consideration of what Coach Z has done.

11:56 am PDT, Jun 23, Brian Gerard, California
Coach Z is dedicated to coaching, giving up time in personal life to help his players train on weekends and in the off season on a frequent basis.

11:44 am PDT, Jun 23, Keshav Venkat, California
Z has always been pushing me when I train and he is good natured guy. I sincerely appreciate the time and effort he has put into training me.

I frankly think its rather ridiculous that he will be let go without evaluation or community consultation.