A show of support for Lombardi (w/video)

CEDAR RAPIDS - This was group therapy, as much as anything else. A chance for people to gather and voice their unilateral support for a coach who is one of the most polarizing this community has ever seen.Those who love Tony Lombardi say they're in the vast majority and are upset with the way his coaching career at Cedar Rapids Washington apparently has come to an end. That's why they met over the noon hour Tuesday at the Starlite Room for an hour-long open forum."I'm sure I speak on behalf of many people when I say a heartfelt thank you to Coach Lombardi for his service at Washington High School over these past seven years," said parent Chuck Blades, to applause from the roughly 100 in attendance. "His impact at Washington has had many facets. He's been a mentor, a coach, a teacher, a friend. I'm honored that both of my sons, Mitch and Grant, are among those he has mentored. I know in my heart that they are better men for having come under his wing."Lombardi, 51, resigned as Washington head football coach late last week after it became public that Kathi Jensen, a former Wash parent, filed a formal complaint to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, alleging Lombardi verbally abused her son and another Warriors soccer player during a 2010 incident in the school's gymnasium. The IBOEE is investigating that claim and one that Washington Principal Ralph Plagman did not effectively handle that and other parent complaints about the coach.Lombardi was the target of a parent-driven formal investigation last spring by the Cedar Rapids Community School District for alleged bullying and verbal abuse. He will coach the Washington baseball team this summer, then step down from that position as well.He told The Gazette the reason for his departure was so he could spend more time with his family: wife, Kari (Washington's head volleyball coach) and their five children. There was all kinds of conjecture Tuesday, however, from parents, athletes and other supporters in attendance that Lombardi essentially is being forced out."I think, obviously, they've worked out some kind of deal, which I'm not privy to," said parent Pressley Henningsen, who has coached with Lombardi at the youth level. "The idea that this man, who is allegedly so abusive and horrible, should be allowed to finish out his baseball career should let you know what's really going on. The politicos are simply tired of the whining and complaining, and Tony is probably tired of being accused. It came together in this perfect storm to where he's gone now, and we don't have a say."They want to have a say. Phone numbers and e-mails of school district heads were distributed, with encouragement to let their voices be heard."Coach Lombardi may be brash, he's not a saint. Nor is anyone in this room a saint. We all have our flaws," said Mark Todd, whose son, McCauley, played football at Washington and is a freshman offensive lineman at the University of Montana. "But the bottom line is Washington is a better place because of Tony Lombardi ... I wish him well, I wish there was a way we could get him back. That's really what needs to happen here. I'm sorry, I can't bite my lip totally. The way this has gone down and what has transpired over the last year is completely unacceptable."Jensen said last week that she went public about her IBOEE complaint because she and others were upset with the way the school district's investigation was handled. She feels she is representing other Washington parents who can't, for fear of retaliation against their children."Who are these people? I'd really like to know," Todd said. "None of them have really stepped out into the spotlight and made themselves known. I think that is very cowardly. I think it's disappointing to see a small group of people have an impact on this community the way that they have ... causing Coach Lombardi to make the decision to resign. It's not acceptable, and I'm very disappointed for the kids coming up. He's a good man, and he doesn't deserve this.""A group of us parents know that there is a personal vendetta against Tony related to youth sports that is no more complex than playing time and parents wanting to control the situation," Henningsen said. "It may very well come from a good place. They may love their children and want to see them playing. But it became a bad thing, and then it became a vendetta."Testimonials of support came from about a dozen people. There were no Washington teachers or administration in attendance, other than Lombardi's wife.She broke down and began sobbing when parent Eara Nimmers said "I hope and pray this changes, because we need the Lombardis here in this community and as a part of Warrior Nation.""I'm not sure I want to comment," Kari Lombardi said, again crying when asked by a reporter what the show of support meant to her. "This has just been really hard on our family."Below are videos of supporters and their "testimony":