Legendary Norwood High School Hockey Coach Don Wheeler Resigns After 20 Years-October 9, 1980

Don Wheeler got straight to the point, as he always does.

“I don’t want to get involved in any mudslinging and I don’t want to play politics or personalities; I’m just relieved I’m out of the picture.”

That was how Don Wheeler responded to the Norwood School Committee‘s formal decision last night to accept his resignation as the head hockey coach of Norwood High School. The committee chairman accepted the departure with regret, concluding a legendary 20-year coaching tenure at the helm of the Mustang hockey program.

“I submitted it with regret,” said Wheeler. “I’ve had a lot of press because of this and the phone has been ringing constantly. I’m glad it’s over. I’m disappointed and unhappy, but I feel it was something I had to do. I had to follow through with it. Some people around town were saying I was holding out for more money. That’s ridiculous.”

Grievances Leading to Resignation

Wheeler submitted his formal letter of resignation to the superintendent of schools last Thursday, outlining a mounting series of frustrations that forced his exit:

• Lack of a Home Rink: The absence of a dedicated ice rink in Norwood.
• Travel Burdens: Lengthy, difficult travel distances on hazardous winter roads for practices and games.
• Administrative Strain: Strained working relationships with the town’s last two athletic directors.
• Rink Instability: Yearly shifts and changes of venues for home games.
• Compensation Cuts: A pay reduction resulting from a change in the teachers’ union contract, which stripped coaches of tournament pay in exchange for a standardized salary across the entire Bay State League.
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Lack of reimbursement for mileage to games and practices, as well as no compensation for personal hockey equipment.

Following Wheeler’s resignation, the school committee voted to institute a reimbursement policy of 16 cents per mile for coaches traveling to and from games—a provision that existed in the teachers’ contract but had never previously been honored by the town.

Committee and Athletic Department Reactions

Reactions from school officials were mixed. School committee member Charles Saraca criticized Wheeler’s public airing of grievances: “I think it’s unfair assessment. It’s unfair to the town of Norwood and the taxpayers. Norwood has spent more money on hockey than most towns.”

School Committee Chairman William J. Pudsey expressed skepticism, stating his belief that Wheeler’s dramatic departure was calculated: “He tried to scare us.”

While the committee initially expressed a desire to meet with Wheeler and Athletic Director Art Gulla to hash out the grievances, Wheeler flatly rejected the idea. “I think it’s ludicrous and ridiculous,” Wheeler said. “I am out of the picture; I no longer have anything to do with the athletic program at Norwood. I’ve stepped down and I don’t think a meeting is necessary.”

Athletic Director Art Gulla defended the department’s record, noting that Norwood still purchased more ice time than any other school in the Bay State League. “If the school committee wants me there, I’ll go,” Gulla said. “As far as I’m concerned, there is no problem. All the sports have suffered budget cuts… I don’t know what Don’s problem is. I’ve said it before: I think he’s a fine coach. The union dropped the tournament pay and we have never paid for mileage.”

Gulla added that Wheeler had warned him of his intentions as early as the previous spring, and again during the first two days of the school term.

Leaving the Players Behind

Despite his frustrations with administration, Wheeler emphasized that walking away from his athletes was the hardest part of the decision.

“The toughest thing about this is leaving the players,” he continued. “I will miss them a lot. I got most of the team together last Tuesday and told them I was gone but not forgotten.”

By the next morning, the official notice was posted on the bulletin board: “Wanted, one hockey coach.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger