By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff
On Jan. 7, The Daily Free Press reported that Boston University men’s hockey coach Jack Parker had dismissed junior forward Andrew Glass from the team for “missing meetings and being late.” According to Glass, though, Parker’s reasons are not accurate and his dismissal is not justified.
For starters, Glass said he never missed a meeting. He did admit that he was late for two meetings during the week leading up to BU’s Dec. 11 game at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
“I was in the trainer’s room and was several minutes late for one meeting and 10 minutes late for another meeting,” Glass said in an email to The Daily Free Press. “However, late is late and I accept that responsibility. Coach Parker addressed me during the week and said ‘to not let it happen again.’ I told him that it wouldn’t happen again and that was the entire conversation.”
The next week, finals week, the team had one last practice scheduled for Tuesday before everyone went home for break. Glass said he told Parker he wouldn’t be able to make it because he had an exam and Parker told him that was fine.
While studying in the library that Monday, Glass said he received a text message saying that there had been a change in plans and that there was now an optional team weightlift that day at 1:30 p.m. Glass said the text indicated that anyone with study commitments could just go after and do the workout on their own, which is what Glass did.
“By NCAA rules,” Glass said, “a team cannot have organized practices or workouts during exam week and based upon the past two years, if you had conflicts, you completed the workouts on your own time. Not only was I studying in the library, but I came right afterwards around 3:30 to workout.
“I was the only player on the team to have a final exam the next day, and because the team was in New York for the majority of the weekend, I had little time to study. Nonetheless, I figured that taking care of my academics was something I shouldn’t have to explain, let alone get punished for.”
From there, things spiraled out of control. When Glass next showed up at Agganis Arena that Wednesday, he found his stall in the locker room completely empty. Glass said he sought out Parker to get an explanation, but that he was told Parker was away in New York. Glass said he could not get in touch with Parker for the rest of the week, either, and left for Christmas break still not knowing why his locker had been cleared out.
“One would assume that when someone clears out your belongings and suspends you that he would contact you almost immediately to explain this severe action,” Glass said.
Glass said that when he finally did see Parker upon returning to school, he had no chance to ask questions or explain himself.
“I met Coach Parker in the hallway,” Glass said, “and he basically greeted me with, ‘Where the [expletive] have you been?’ Before I could get in a word edgewise and without any explanation, he told me to get out of the rink and that I was suspended. I did not receive any explanation about why or how this situation had reached this point.”
While the Terriers traveled to Hoffman Estates, Ill., for the Shillelagh Tournament, Glass said he spent New Year’s with his family and sent an email to Parker outlining his frustrations and lack of understanding about why he was suspended. Glass said he did not receive a response to his email and that when he saw Parker the Tuesday after the team came back, Parker told him to have his father come in so the three could have a meeting.
Michael Glass, like his son, said he had been trying to get a hold of Parker for nearly two weeks to get an explanation for his son’s suspension.
“When Andrew told me about his suspension and the reasons for it, I tried to contact Parker by phone,” Michael Glass told The Daily Free Press in an email. “He never returned my call and I waited two weeks for him to set up a meeting. This was a total of three weeks for Andrew, which included dealing with this while trying to study for his final exams and over the Christmas break.”
The Glasses finally got their chance to talk to Parker that Friday, but the meeting did not go anything like what they were expecting. Andrew Glass said it got off to an icy start when Parker did not shake hands or make eye contact with either of them.
He said they only talked about him being late for meetings and missing the optional lift for a few minutes before Parker shifted the focus of the conversation to an assignment given out at the end of last season. The assignment was to rank yourself and your teammates to show where you thought you fit in. Glass said he ranked himself around fifth or sixth among the 12 forwards on the team.
“I took the assignment as an opportunity to show that I thought I could be a second or third line guy next year, and wanted to show him that,” Glass said. “I am a skilled hockey player and I thought I had an opportunity to be an important part of the team next season, especially with a younger team.
“I saw my self-evaluation as a positive thing. Wouldn’t any coach want a player to be confident and have goals for his upcoming season? Coach Parker didn’t see it that way. He basically ridiculed my ability to self evaluate.”
Michael Glass said he was stunned by what he was hearing from Parker.
“The reason for Andrew’s suspension made no sense to me,” he said. “When Parker finally set up a meeting with us, I asked Andrew several times if there was going to be a bomb dropped on me regarding some other incident and Andrew insisted there were no other such issues. During our meeting, it became quite clear that Parker wasn’t even sure of the details himself as to why Andrew missed the optional workout and he definitely didn’t care what Andrew had to say.
“Parker mentioned that there were ‘other issues’ and for several minutes I listened to an irrational monologue from Parker about a written exercise last spring in which the players rated themselves and their teammates. Parker was very upset that Andrew rated himself higher than he thought he should have. This was the only specific ‘bunch of things’ that Parker brought up. If Andrew is guilty of anything, it’s that he believed in himself and wanted to play a bigger role on the team.”
Andrew Glass said Parker went on to question his work ethic despite the fact that Glass said he consistently ranked at or near the top of the team in both on-ice and off-ice conditioning. Eventually, Parker told Glass he did not want him on the team any more.
“I couldn’t believe his decision,” Glass said. “In over two weeks, I had not sat down with him once to talk about what had transpired and the decision of my suspension. The first time we actually had a conversation was when my father was present to basically tell me I was being dismissed from the team.
“I am very upset at how everything has ultimately played out. I accept my responsibility for being late for the two meetings. I got suspended without a warning or even a conversation for being in the library studying. And ultimately, had barely five minutes of contact with Coach Parker throughout the whole process until it ended with my expulsion from the team.”
Parker had no comment for this story other than to reiterate what has already been reported.
“We removed him from the team because he couldn’t live up to team rules,” Parker said.
Glass said his dismissal is unrelated to his one-game suspension for last year’s season-opener. He said that suspension was for getting written up for drinking in his room on a Saturday night. He said Parker told him at the time that he thought it was ridiculous, but that he had to bench him for a game anyway.
Glass said he will remain at BU for this semester and take some classes over the summer to graduate early. He said he plans on continuing his hockey career next season, but that he is not sure where he will play.
Rating himself too high? You have got to be joking. It sounds as though Glass got screwed. I wondered why Parker didn’t offer specific details.
This absolutely outrageous. Parker is such a #$%&!@. Why would he do such a thing when Trivino is on the team and actually did something bad. The man is a phsycho.
Interestingly, I spoke to a player (off the record) in one of my classes yesterday and he said he was baffled by his dismissal.
Almost seems like Parker just wanted to free up a scholarship for next year.
I agree that he wanted to free up a scholarship, but he could have let him finish up the year and then graduate this summer. For a local kid (any kid for that matter) this must be really difficult.
When you are a marginal player you better tow the line. Glass had little room for error. Maybe it is time he takes full responsibility for his actions and lack of performance on the ice. He had no leverage because he did not produce and showed no signs of doing so. Why did it take so long for him to get his story out?
I’m outraged at why Parker booted Andrew Glass. This story is already making rounds around the hockey world and it makes BU look like ignorant fools. I’m hearing that this is going to have a HUGE impact on our future recruiting.
Suspending a player because he wanted to study? Being upset because he rated himself higher than Parker thought?
I honestly can’t believe the team isn’t behind him 100% on this. The team needs to stand up for Glass or they are a bunch of cowards who have no honor or respect for their teammate!
Trivino and Warso are still on the team but Glass is gone…yeah, that Parker makes decisions that make sense.
I’d love to see BC or Northeastern bring this kid in next year and give him productive minutes, just to stick it up Parker’s ying yang
Reading this article just gets my blood boiling.
Not only has Parker embarrassed BU hockey, he has embarrassed the school as a whole. When did sports become more important than sports? Parker better hope Glass doesn’t pursue this with the NCAA.
Where are the leaders on the team? Are there any? They should have gone to PArker and let him know he crossed a line in dismissing Glass for the reason he gave.
As a diehard BU fan I hate to say this but I hope the team lies down for the Beanpot just to piss Parker off and show their displeasure on the Glass situation.
Parker knew the entire John Sabo story from the beginning of the season and didn’t boot him from the team. Andrew Glass wants to study and has confidence in his ability so Parker kicks him off the team?
This is a complete embarrassment.
I don’t see how any recruit can take us seriously when Parker sits in their living room and pushes the BU program.
Who are the captains on this team? Did these cowards accept Parker’s decision on Glass with no protest?
I have never been so upset with BU hockey. We have teams that lost that I was proud of because they gave it their all but this current team is filled with cowards and hired guns.
I’m embarrassed they represent BU.
That is not the answer. There is obviously more to the story than what glass is saying Parker obviously doesn’t want to deal with this publicly as Glass has made the issue now. I do not think it hurts recruiting. Warso is still here because he never did anything wrong and is a captain. Parker probably atleast had a conversation with the captains and other coaches before this decision was made. I would be careful before jumping to conclusions here.
Are you kidding me? Warso was one of the organizers of the beer bash before the Hockey East Tournament last year.
Obviously Parker didn’t want him to be the fall guy for that since he needed him on the team.
Glass’ father was in the meeting and said there wasn’t anything specific except the rating issue.
BU has become the laughingstock of college hockey..
Keep the overreactions coming…the team is going to go out and play their butts off this weekend just to shut all of you up
i liked glass and i think the dismissal is nonsense but they gotta go out there this weekend and do exactly what the above poster said
As somewhat of an insider to the program, I believe this disconnect between Glass and Coach Parker goes all the way to his Freshman year. There have been rumblings for the past 2 years about Glass’ work ethic, attitude, and there were other violations of team rules besides what has been written about that were addressed internally.
I think this article, based on Glass’ side of the story, makes Coach Parker look really, really bad — even more so b/c of the notion that him dismissing/suspending players is happening at an seemingly alarming rate. However, I strongly believe the truth is somewhere in the middle, where both sides probably could’ve handled things w/ each other differently.
The team is not going to lie down to piss Parker off and support Glass because he was not a well-liked or respected member of this team. He was sat several times last season for conduct unbecoming of a terrier. He has been criticized for his lack of work ethic and attitude since he got here. DO NOT believe everything coming out of Glass’s mouth. I agree that Parker needed to come out and give his side of the story, but Glass isnt being completely honest. He has been warned several times and ultimately does not deserve to be on this team. It sucks that BU has to look as bad as it does right now, but that kid does not deserve to wear scarlet and white. End of story.
In the past, captains and players have been able to convince Parker to keep players on this team. And no one did that for Glass. That speaks volumes of what that team really thinks of him. Take that for what it is.
All this shows is that BU captains are weak and the worse captains in the last 20 years.
At what point will Parker remember the reasons he kicked Glass off the team? During the meeting with the GLass father, Parker sounded like a babbling fool who couldn’t remember why Glass was booted off the team.
Parker is a jerk! When he won’t shake hands, that tells me all I need to know. It’s time for him to sail full time,
I’ve talked to a few players who are close to the situation. Glass is leaving some very important information out of his story. Parker didn’t tell Glass’ father the whole story because he knew it would be very embarrassing for Andrew. Parker actually took the high road.
Now that would make sense why Parker isn’t making the reasons public and turning this into more of a soap opera than it already is
Ask Smo and Zach Cohen whether Parker listens to the captains about player dismissals. Read Scott Weighart’s book (Burn the Boats) and I think it’ll give a little more insight into the process behind releasing or not releasing a player who is or is not living up to the name on the front of their uniform.
What’s asinine is the people here who seemingly believe that the explanation Parker gave to the media/public — and to a lesser extent, what the Glasses are saying — is exactly the same as his conversations with the captains and the team as a whole. I guaran-damn-tee that everyone involved has gotten the amount of detail on the situation that they require.
I love how some BU fans are blinding MAKING UP “FACTS” to cover up for Parker.
I hope Glass sues so the real facts will come out.
So what does Scott Weighart think about Parker letting Sabo stay on the team after he almost killed a kid at the start of the season?
And yes, Parker knew all about it as soon as it happened.
LOL at the person who said “Parker took the high road”.
Parker never takes the high road otherwise he wouldn’t bash players in the paper instead of their face.
I’m hearing that several players are going to pack it in or the Maine game to protest Parker and his boot licking captains.
This will make it a game worth watching. Is it on TV?
Since GLass was booted, other below average players like Rosen, Gilroy, Santanna, Courtnall, Ronan, etc… better look out because they are likely next.
No way this team packs it in for the Maine game. If they had an issue and decided to pack it in they would have done it already considering this happened three weeks ago.
But the cowardly, anonymous player who decided to bash his former teammate only came out after Parker was exposed as a classless fool.
The “team” is falling apart and taking sides now that news has gone public – the cowardly captains side with Parker and the rest of the team with Glass.
I’m also hearing from some players that they intend to throw the game against Maine but not playing with an all out effort.
Lets see if the captains can keep this team together. Most players are pretty much ignoring Parker now.
One of the players told me that he thinks GLass was booted to send a message to Clendening.
Just to correct the anonymous comment at 9:51 am today, the anonymous player did not “come out.” I had to push him to let me use the info in a story. Had I not done that, it never would’ve gotten out. Also, I had heard rumblings along the lines of what he told me even before Glass’ response came out. Of course, I’ve heard rumblings from the other side, too. I would just encourage people to not assume either side is the 100 percent truth. There’s truth to both sides, but both sides are also leaving some stuff out.
Parker is not a nice person and should not be coaching young people anymore. His players fear him and that’s why they will not stand up for players, like Glass, who are bullied by Parker year after year.
Parker treated Glass and his father with such disrespect! If there is more to the story, Glass’ father deserves to hear it. I don’t believe is there is more to the story.
The idiot who said Parker was holding back info to the father to protect Glass is nothing more than a Parker boot licker.
Parker’s previous actions prove that he will NEVER hold anything back to protect any current or former player.
The door is always open at Maine Mr.Glass.
Please take him…
Glass and Clendening may be a package deal.
Word is Parker is ver, very unhappy with Clendening.
Glass and Saponari should try pairs figure skating in the next Winter Olympics.
Glass never had any use for the stick, or the body, when he was playing hockey. And Vinny will need something to do.
This story has hit the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN, USCHO, etc… and BU is taking a beating from the publications as well as people leaving comments.
Unlike previous Parker episodes of classlessness, the internet is making sure all committed and prospective recruits know about this.
This will not end well unless Parker offers a plausible explanation soon.
BU should just drop the hockey program like they dropped their pitiful football program. Parker’s a joke. York’s got his number
Sounds messed up to me…… I will no longer be a fan of Parker’s teams…. This is not right.
The kid gets suspended for studying, yet Jackie found a way to get one year of eligibility out of former player Danny LaCouture who took I’s at CBS. Hehehe. Yorky probably has Andrew all lined up and penciled in for next year. I have two words for my Commonwealth Avenue brethren: Go Eagles!!!
According to this article……
According to Glass, Glass said, Glass said, Glass said, Glass said, Glass said, Glass said, Glass said, Glass said, Glass said, Glass said,
Glass said, Glass said, Glass said,Michael Glass said, Michael Glass said, Andrew Glass said, He said, Glass said, Glass said, Michael Glass said, he said, Andrew Glass said, Glass said, Glass said,
Parker had no comment for this story other than to reiterate what has already been reported.
“We removed him from the team because he couldn’t live up to team rules,” Parker said.
Glass said, He said, Glass said, He said
It seems a little one-sided.
Unfortunately, due to FERPA restriction, Coach Parker is prohibited from discussing the issue so I guess we will never know.
Since when did Parker adhere to rules?
It would be a first.
Also, Parker could use one of his “anonymous” players to get more info out there.
HockeyFan said…
“I’d love to see BC or Northeastern bring this kid in next year and give him productive minutes, just to stick it up Parker’s ying yang.”
I seriously doubt seeing Glass in an opposing uniform would strike fear in anyone. He produced nothing in three seasons at BU, so what makes you think he’ll suddenly turn into a player?
UMass-Boston or Suffolk might be more realistic destinations for him if he wants to play another year.
Whatever happened to Kevin Gilroy?
Is he hurt? Or warming Glass’ spot in the doghouse?
Why does this surprise anyone who follows Jack Parker? Everytime BU loses he berates his players in the papers. Every time another Hockey East team loses the losing coach praises the opponent. He is an excellent technician but he defintely thinks too much of himself. He gets a big thrill out of intimidation.
Parker’s looking like the “JoePa” of college hockey….time to move on like Bill Cleary, Lenny Ceglarski, et al. He was a great coach, did a lot for the program and the University, but time to let the next generation of coaches take the helm…
The kid should get the puck out of there and play wherever he can
BU’s administration will be all over this. Parker made a huge mistake and because of the nature of the issue, he will have trouble. Coaches today have no oversight and do whatever they want. It’s out of control and BU administration will reign him in. BU is a school first and students are not punching bags. Parents and kids have kissed this guys butt for to long. It’s time all coaches realize they have to answer for their actions.
My roommate works in the academic administration offices and the people there are furious. The story they were told differs greatly from the account that was published involving the Glass family and the anonymous player.
The have asked for a meeting with the team’s coaches for more details because they fear there could be a legitimate lawsuit.
“The have asked for a meeting with the team’s coaches for more details because they fear there could be a legitimate lawsuit.”
This statement is a complete joke. There is no lawsuit here. Glass wasn’t dismissed from the university, his scholarship wasn’t taken away.
He was booted off of the hockey team. Being a member of a team is a privlege, not a right.
The posts saying that Glass should sue are a ridiculous. What’s next, suing for ice time?
Parker is also the Executive Director of Athletics. He has NOTHING to worry about in any of this.
It sure sounds like people far above Parker believes Parker and BU have a lot to be worried about.
Tryouts in college hockey are conducted every day, all season long. It’s much easier to interpret actions of the Kremlin than it is to fathom most coaches’ decisions about who will play when or where, and who is on or off the roster.
I know it’s already been said but what a shame. This had nothing to do with enforcing team rules and everything to do with freeing scholarships, and Parker knows that. That’s why he couldn’t look Glass and his father in the eye like a man. He clearly has no class.
Nice post. Many of times this kind situation happens but it should be face very politely.
glass repair Dublin