EPHS Soccer Coach Tony Vieira Takes Leave

EPHS Soccer & Hockey Coaches told by City Administration that they can't get paid for coaching high school and keep city jobs...

Tony Vieira, the popular East Providence High School soccer coach and city recreation department worker, is taking a leave of absence from coaching Townie boys soccer. "I see both sides of this issue and I want to be fair to my players and not drag this thing out for their sake," said Tony Vieira in an interview with The Reporter today. "Back around mid-March, Mr Lemont (city manager Paul Lemont) told me there were issues with me coaching EPHS soccer while also working for the city recreation department. Mr. Lemont was supportive and not negative toward me but said he had questions. Even though I was using my vacation time to leave early some days to coach the team, he (Lemont) said the issue was collecting a pay from both jobs," said Vieira. "Mr. Lemont has treated me with respect throughout this ordeal."

Throughout the interview Vieira made a point to say that he understood both Lemont's position and that of people in the community who want him to fight and stay on as soccer coach. "To be fair I understand both sides of the argument. But I want to be careful as my recreation department job is my main income, it's how I pay my bills," Vieira said. Vieira said his union at city hall, United Steel Workers of America 15509, will pursue this. "The union fully agrees that I should be able to use vacation time for any reason. I want to respect the process and let the legal process be vetted out. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it," said Vieira.

Vieira met today with school Superintendent Kim Mercer and tendered his coaching leave of absence request for one year. "I don't want the team to be without a coach. There isn't time to figure this out in time for the upcoming soccer season. The boys deserve to know who their coach is and I'll step aside for now," the soccer aficionado said. "I don't take this as a personal issue. For me, the process has been handled professionally. About six weeks after I first heard from Mr. Lemont, he said that HR (human resources) said I couldn't use vacation time and be paid by the city and school departments simultaneous," said Vieira. Viera and Kevin Croke - the high school hockey coach also effected with this ruling - were told that this came about after another person who works for City Hall/Schools was denied a coaching job because of overlapping scheduling of the work day. "I've never been deceitful about anything, I've used my own vacation time to be free to coach," added Vieira.

Accordingly, Tony Vieira told both East Providence Athletic Director Bob Duarte and Superintendent Kim Mercer that he would take a leave of absence for one year. "I want what's best for the team and for me also. I need to keep my job in recreation and I also love the game of soccer. I've accepted a volunteer assistant coaching position for women's soccer at Providence College. That begins in three weeks," said Vieira. "It keeps me involved in the game I love and I don't lose my regular job," said Viera. Viera also said he has a possible offer to coach soccer at Johnson & Wales University and later at Providence College, both paying positions.

Asked about the community support lining up behind him to stay on as EPHS boys soccer coach, he said that he was moved by the support. "I appreciate the support so much. It's Townie Pride, what we're made of. But I have to respect what goes on with my full time job. I want to coach and we'll have to wait for closure. This won't happen in time for the fall season," he said.

Vieira also is active in city soccer circles and is the person responsible for the effort to construct a new synthetic athletic field behind the high school. The field would be for high school and city youth groups. However, it has recently stalled after legal procedural objections from the city. This stall may delay the entire project in time for next season. "I don't think my having to leave as high school coach will effect this project. I would have liked to be there when it happens, but it's a separate issue and should go on as planned."

Vieira said that he and coach Kevin Croke have talked together briefly. "We're both Townies, we support our kids. I hope it all works out." Earlier Kevin Croke indicated that he may take a harder stand than Vieira. "I'm still the hockey coach and I plan to remain the hockey coach," Croke told The Reporter earlier. It does not seem evident that Coach Croke and his supporters will let the city administration force him to end his coaching career with Townie hockey so easily. Croke has built up a strong hockey program and the team won two recent division state championships. As far as coach Vieira, he will be coaching soccer in the fall but it will be for the Providence College women's team, not his beloved EP Townies.