Double loss

Published on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 1:50 PM MDT

Bill Vander Weele | Sidney Herald
Rollie Sullivan instructs Devin Bell during last season’s boys basketball season. Sullivan has accepted a high school principal position in Kamiah, Idaho.

Sidney receives resignation of middle school principal, basketball

Sidney lost its middle school principal and high school head boys basketball coach when Rollie Sullivan turned in his resignation Thursday.

Sullivan has accepted the position of high school principal in Kamiah, Idaho.

“I wanted to continue to work in administration at a wage similar to where I’m at and be able to collect my retirement (from Montana),” Sullivan said.

In Montana, educators can’t receive their retirement package and also continue working for schools. “You’re up against it in Montana.”

Kamiah’s high school enrollment is between 250-275 students. There’s a possibility that Sullivan may coach the girls basketball team at the school.

After turning down other job offers in Wyoming and North Dakota, the main reason Sullivan accepted the position in Idaho is location. Kamiah is about two hours away from Missoula.

Even though as of now, it appears that his wife, Sandy, and youngest two children, Jordan and Ryan, are staying in Sidney, Rollie feels the move is the best for the family’s future.

“I think in the long run, we will think it’s a great move,” Sullivan said. “I wish I had won the lottery and wouldn’t have to do anything.”

The hope is Jordan, an All-State basketball player who is entering her junior year in high school, ends up playing at the University of Montana. Jordan’s uncle Robin Selvig is the head coach for the Lady Griz.

“As long as she stays away from injuries, we think she has a chance to play there,” Sullivan said. “We would be able to see every home Lady Griz basketball game if she plays.”

He notes the Kamiah area, located at the banks of the Clearwater River, offers great fishing and hunting, which Ryan will enjoy. The location is also closer to Bozeman where older daughter and son Ashley and Jace Sullivan reside.

Rollie Sullivan said he will miss many people in the community including the middle school staff.

He will also miss his players and coaches in the basketball program.

“I’ve enjoyed doing the basketball. This summer, I’ve seen a lot of growth with the kids. They are going to be real competitive,” Sullivan said. “I think the Eagles will be a force again this year.”

editor@sidneyherald.com

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Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Sidney Herald.

john d. wrote on Aug 5, 2008 5:41 PM:

" sidneys such a tight nit place, everyone knows eachother so well. personal feelings weather positive or negative get in the way of the facts. sidney hasnt won a state title in?...you would have to be ancient to even know that one(in the 70s maybe? once?). so, no loss there and i dont recall sullivan getting overly outstanding reviews as a principal. so it shouldnt be a problem to fill those shoes. "

T wrote on Jul 29, 2008 10:23 AM:

" I am very sorry to hear the loss of Rollie to the local school and basketball program. I played for Rollie my junior and senior seasons and those were the best two years of basketball of my life and I credit Rollie and his coaching staff. Rollie is a great guy and a great coach and he will be sorely missed in Sidney, MT. "

non-resident wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:30 AM:

" Lack of memory of coaching records speaks for itself. I believe Sidney has played in 4 of the last 5 Eastern A championship games. Looking up records in the Gazette for just the last 5 years it can be found that the Eagles won-loss records were: 13-9, 11-11, 15-8 (lost Sat. morning at state), 22-2 (3rd at state), 19-5 (4th at state). Not too bad. "

G.L. wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:12 PM:

" Sounds like some people still have their feelings hurt from not being a very good player, and therefore was not played. "

OUTSIDER wrote on Jul 25, 2008 5:05 PM:

" WHY DON'T YOU BIG STUDS TELL HIM TO HIS FACE CUZ YOU DON'T HAVE THE GUTS THATS WHY OR MAYBE YOU SHOULD COACH OH THATS RIGHT YOU DON'T KNOW WHY IT REALLY TICKS ME OFF WHEN ALL YOU PEOPLE BADMOUTH SOMEONE THATS REALLY APUBLIC PERSON NO ONE CAN MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY AND YA KNOW WHAT ROLLIE IS A BIG ENOUGH PERSON HE ISN'T GOING TO WONDER WHO YOU ARE OR WORRY ABOUT IT SO SIT ON IT.... "

Josh wrote on Jul 25, 2008 11:07 AM:

" Good Riddance rollie was worthless. If you didn't have the right last name then you were a nothing to him and he treated you like that. He favors certian people with the right last name. "

Kathy wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:24 AM:

" Personally I am sad to hear of this loss to our community. Sidney's schools will be greatly affected by his absence. Mr. Sullivan is a fine educator, administeror and coach. I attended SHS and was able to see Mr. Sullivan and have the wonderful affect that this man set out to do. I consider myself lucky to have known and worked with such a great man! And if his wife is leaving in the near future, the Sidney schools will suffer another great loss. "

C.E. wrote on Jul 24, 2008 9:51 AM:

" I agree with Anonymous; Sidney High never had a winning record with Coach Sully behind the wheel. If your last name wasn't known around town, you didnt play. There was a lot of great talent playing in intramurals because they couldn't get a fair shot on the varsity squad. It's not a knock on Rollie as a person but his coaching track history speaks for itself... *Intramural scoring champ 96-98* "

Anonymous wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:16 AM:

" Good Riddance! "

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