COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A dispute between Coldwater High School Athletic Director Todd Farmer and Cross-Country / Track Coach Jim Bilsborrow over the type of starting line that was to be used for distance races during Coldwater’s home track and field meet on May 9 has led to Bilsborrow submitting his resignation to the district of all his coaching positions after 49 years of service.
Bilsborrow says in his Letter of Resignation that Farmer issued an E-mail directive, insisting that “waterfall starts” be used for all the distance races. Such starts were to be used in the Regional Meet.
But Bilsborrow said such a directive was misguided because the track at Coldwater High School did not have a waterfall starting line and that such a marking has not been added to the track for three years since the M.H.S.A.A. instituted waterfall starts.
He went to say, “With the consent and cooperation of all participating coaches, AND the official starter, I admit that I was instrumental in ensuring that we did not follow Mr. Farmer’s misguided directive. All were in agreement that we could not legitimately have waterfall starts without a waterfall starting line. Instead all runners started from existing lanes and lines. It was the only fair way to start the races on our track.”
Farmer gave Bilsborrow a written reprimand the next day which threatened termination if he did not follow directions given by administration. Bilsborrow added he has made three appeals to Superintendent Terry Whelan to discuss his reprimand but did not get a response.
He stated, “During my years of coaching at Coldwater High School, I have never coached under such intimidating and threatening conditions as I do now.” In addition, Bilsborrow’s wife Jacki is ceasing all her service to the school system.
Farmer said Bilsborrow’s resignation was regretful but he did not comment further saying it was a personnel situation.
Of course, Coach Bilsborrow is right and it is Mr. Farmer and Mrs. Wheland that should have resigned.
What an utterly unacceptable response from the AD at Coldwater Schools! Coach Bilsborrow and Jackie were instrumental in both of my children’s academic and athletic experiences in high school and I am disgusted at the way the administration even up to the Superintendent is treating them after 49 years! I thought Coldwater was better than this!
This is truly a sad day. He gave everything to his students. I remember not being able to afford track shoes and he made sure I had what I needed to compete. He was there for me even though he was not my coach as I was not a distance runner. He always had great advise and new when to push and when to not push. The school is losing a great man with a heart of gold. And I am sure I am not the only one who feels angry with this turn of events.