Hauser basketball to see changes to schedule; coach resigns

With the end of the Hauser Jets 2019-20 season last week, the team will see some large changes starting next season.

First-year coach Joe Sibbitt is reportedly turning in his resignation from the team, during a meeting of the Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Board tonight. Sibbitt was arrested in February on charges including drunk-driving in southern Indiana.

According to a report from the Sellersburg Police Department, at about 3 a.m. on February 9th, officers were called to a convenience store and found Sibbitt in a wrecked vehicle that had two flat front tires and front end damage. He appeared to be disoriented, slurred his speech and officers report smelling an alcoholic beverage on his person.

Officers tracked the vehicle tracks to a nearby fast-food restaurant where the landscaping and shrubs had been damaged. Sibbitt allegedly failed several field sobriety tests and was arrested. 

According to court records available through the state public access site, Sibbitt was originally charged with reckless driving, criminal mischief and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The criminal mischief and drunk driving charges were dropped in a plea bargain and he pleaded guilty to reckless driving on Feb. 25th

Sibbitt was sentenced to 60 days suspended, with six months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $100 in administrative and court fees, and to pay $20 a month while on probation. He also was required to complete a drug and alcohol assessment and to submit to random urine drug screens.

The school board is holding an executive session this evening "To discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employees." Executive sessions are not open to the general public.

We asked athletic director Tyler Phillips several questions regarding Sibbitt's situation and they were referred to school administrators who have not responded. Those included:

• What is the current status of the varsity coaching position and what is the plan going forward?
• What disciplinary action was taken in response to the arrest (Any missed games, etc.?}
• Were the actions taken consistent with penalties imposed on players?
• What is the standard penalty for non-coaching teachers for such an offense? i.e. Would they face the same discipline in a similar situation?
• Did he step down willingly or was he asked to step down?

Sibbitt will continue as a social studies teacher in the school system.

Sam Simmermaker at News Talk 1010 WCSI and 98.1 FM reported that the athletic department opted not to renew its contracts with four-long time schedule opponents, including Columbus North, Greensburg, Rushville and Indian Creek. Instead, the boys will be playing Eastern Hancock, South Dearborn and North Daviess next season.

Phillips said that Rushville made the decision to drop Hauser and it was out of the school's control.

"There were some issues with Indian Creek and Hauser, therefore is was a mutual decision to drop the boys basketball game because it was in the best interest of all involved," Phillips said.

"We dropped Columbus North and Greensburg," Phillips said. "For us to be successful, Hauser has to beat 1A teams to win the state and 1A and 2A teams to win the MHC conference. We looked to add teams that were similar in size and competitiveness of those we play in sectional, regional, and in the MHC. We felt that adding the teams we did (South Dearborn, Eastern Hancock, and a 1A tournament at North Daviess) would give our kids a better chance of being successful on those particular nights but also in the conference and the state tournament."