Jack Edison’s daughter, Lisa Laidig, shared her thoughts on her father as a coach.
Laidig said, “Dad’s not a half-way person — in anything. He’s a highly-dedicated man who looks to give the extras... a little more than what’s expected. In coaching, I’ve seen him pour his heart and soul into being fully prepared.”
Laidig added, “I understand a coach is being sought who is the most qualified — and with all due respect and honor towards Kevin (Stuckmeyer), whom we love,  I do not know of anyone more qualified than my dad and I hope that you will reconsider.”
Local businessman Mike Delp read a two-page letter in which he questioned why Edison was not interviewed.
Delp said, “Though Jack (Edison) made it clear to the key administrators on the basketball (hiring) committee that he desired the position, he was told that his ulterior motives were a problem. Don’t you think after 34 years of molding young men, Jack would understand how important it is to coach for the right reasons?”
Delp also directed his comments to board members, saying, “Members of the school board, the community will be watching closely how each of you verbally responds tonight to the administrators’ handling of this hiring process — beginning with the posting description, removal of Jack Edison’s candidacy and tonight’s ultimate vote.”
Judy Delp read a statement from Greg Renz, a local businessman and former PHS basketball player who also played under Edison. Renz could not attend the meeting.
Delp read, “To not reward this man for all he has done is pathetic.”
Still speaking for Renz, Delp said, “He doesn’t need a gym named after him — that’s not what he is about. He is about giving everything he has to perform his job at the best it can be. Tonight, five more people will dirty their hands in this most unfortunate situation.”
Judy Delp ended her comments saying, “There’s no one here who is against Kevin.”
Former school board member Susan Kubley also commented on the matter. Kubley said, “I’m disgraced with this school board. It’s a very sad day for the Plymouth community.”
Dare Hawes contended that the decision on who would be interviewed was left to the discretion of Plymouth High School Principal Jim Condon as she quoted from the administrative guidelines published by the school corporation.
However, Superintendent Dan Tyree informed those in attendance that Condon asked and was granted permission to have a decision made on interviews by a committee.
Hawes also referenced a tort claim initiated by family members of Jack Edison.
Hawes said, “Mr. Condon and Mr. Tyree have good reason to be biased against Edison... because both Mr. Condon and Mr. Tyree were named by Michael Edison, not Jack Edison, as defendants in a tort claim that Michael Edison was forced…to file in the pursuit of justice. I plead with you to postpone this decision.”
At one point, Hawes was asked by school board President Todd Samuelson to confine her comments to agenda items.
Two former basketball players under Jack Edison also commented on his dedication. Kyle Wallace and Kyle Plumee suggested that Edison was the most qualified for the job.
Prior to the final vote, Samuelson directed his comments to Stuckmeyer saying, “You have my full support.”
Board member Ron Gifford also responded to audience comments. Gifford, who made the motion to appoint Stuckmeyer, said “I think the policies and procedures were followed.”
The final vote was 5-0 to approve the hiring of Stuckmeyer.
Stuckmeyer took the opportunity to make a few comments on his appointment.
He said, “I think I can carry on the Plymouth tradition. I just want to thank the people who let me go through the process.”
He referred to his former coach Jack Edison, saying, “The best way I can pay tribute to him is to carry on the Plymouth tradition.”