By Marc Raimondi
The longtime Cardozo softball coach has been removed pending an investigation into his “inappropriate language,” and players, parents and fellow teachers are not happy, the New York Post has learned.
Larry Alberts, who has been at the helm of the program for 26 years, was escorted from the field by school safety during practice March 22, sources said, after a parent filed a complaint regarding the coach’s behavior toward a player. The charges are now being looked into by the city Department of Education’s Special Commissioner of Investigation. Former baseball Coach Pete Douglas has taken over the softball team in the interim.
“He was removed pending an investigation into allegations of inappropriate language,” DOE spokeswoman Marge Feinberg said of Alberts.
The morning after Alberts was dismissed, multiple parents went to Cardozo to meet with principal Gerry Martori in support of the coach, sources said. Martori was not in, but they did meet with athletic director Joe Cavallo, who told them when a complaint like that is filed the coach must be removed pending an investigation. Sources said the complaint was made directly to the superintendent’s office.
“The allegations are ridiculous,” said one parent under condition of anonymity.
Alberts did not return multiple voice messages April 2. Cavallo and Douglas also did not return messages from the Post.
Alberts guided Cardozo to back-to-back PSAL Class A semifinals in 2009 and 2010, the former being his first-ever trip to the final four. Cardozo beat Bayside 6-5 in the coach’s first and only game this season. With a young core returning, the Judges had high hopes for a deep run in the playoffs this season.
“They have a lot of confidence from last year,” Alberts said in the preseason. “They are confident, but definitely not cocky. They know they have a lot of work to do.”
The support of Alberts is also significant in Cardozo’s athletic department. Judges boys’ basketball Coach Ron Naclerio says he’s known Alberts for 30 years and has a hard time believing the allegations are true.
“He’s a great guy,” Naclerio said. “He’s great for those kids. He does a lot for those kids and they all love him.”
Added boys and girls’ volleyball Coach Danny Scarola, “I could never believe he would do something like this.”
Naclerio, the legendary hoops coach, sympathizes with Alberts, who he fears might not get his job back this year — if ever.
“When something like this happens, they put the handcuffs on you and you have to find the key,” Naclerio said.
