Breck girls' hockey coach Len Vannelli resigned Thursday after learning he was facing a heavy suspension from the Minnesota State High School League's Eligibility Committee.
The league, citing a bylaw governing "non-school competition and training," suspended Vannelli for the first four weeks or six games of the regular season, whichever is greater. He was also suspended for the entire postseason.
During these times, Vannelli could have no contact with the program, including practices, scrimmages, training and competition.
Breck spokesperson Jill Field said Vannelli "resigned verbally [Thursday] evening and we expect written confirmation in the morning."
Vannelli could not be reached for comment. Players were notified Thursday evening.
In three seasons at Breck, Vannelli guided the Mustangs to state tournament appearances in the past two seasons. He is the second cousin of St. Thomas Academy co-head boys' hockey coaches Greg and Tom Vannelli.
Len Vannelli is listed as president-program director of the Community Athletic Development Program on the group's website. According to its Facebook page, "CADP specializes in hockey-specific training programs ... to improve the quality of training and competition among high school players."
According to the CADP, more than 50 female athletes have gone on to play Division I or Division III college hockey since 2010. CADP offers various camps from March to October.
The high school league, which approved the suspension at its board meeting Thursday, did not elaborate on the details of its decision.
Change in track & field
Also on Thursday, the high school league board changed the number of relay teams advancing to state from one to two per section meet. Teams under the qualifying standard also advance.
"This will impact how coaches manipulate lineups for the section meet," Rosemount coach Jay Hatleli wrote in an e-mail. "This will also impact team scoring at the state meet."
SCHOOL | 2010-2011 COACH | 2011-2012 COACH |
---|---|---|
Academy of Holy Angles | Jaime Grossman | Jon Dundore |
Alexandria | Mitch Loch | Andy Shriver |
Bemidji | Matt Menne | Bob Brink |
Brainerd/Little Falls | Rod Peltoma | Stephanie Sustercich |
Breck | Len Vannelli | Chris Peterson |
Chaska/Chanhassen | Chris Erickson | Tracy Cassano |
Cretin-Derham Hall | Steve Williams | John Pohl |
Detroit Lakes | Dan Maloney | Gretchen Norby |
East Ridge | Tony Hoops | Craig Norwich |
Eden Prairie | Tim Morris | Jaime Grossman |
Faribault | Gretchen Dahl | Steve Gravgaard |
Forest Lake | Jeff Neidt | Ryan Sauter |
Lake of the Woods/Rainy River/Indus | Katie Hasbargen | April Beckel |
Lakeville South | Perry Wilkinson | Natalie Darwitz |
Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato | Brian Johnson | Hannah Impola |
Minneapolis Novas | John Wareham | Pat Meacham |
Mound-Westonka | Bob Kuehl | Chris Erickson |
Mounds View | Tom Foley | Pete Aus |
Orono | Kevin Armstrong | Keith Radloff |
Park Rapids | Chris Albee | Gary Vaudrin |
Pequot Lakes | Regan Rudbeck | Bryan Henricks |
Prior Lake | Jaime Grossman | Todd Johnson |
Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper | Joel Zejdlik | Kevin Gray |
Rochester John Marshall | Steve Russell | Bob Montrose |
Rosemount | Tracy Cassano | Josh Hoekstra and Trent Eigner |
St. Cloud | Joel Heitkamp and Mark Chamernick | Mark Chamernick |
St. Louis Park | Mike Knoke | Donnie Williams |
St. Paul Blades | Sarma Ozmen | Jeff Hauer |
St. Paul United | Ted Cheesebrough | Carrie Holldorf |
Windom | Shawn Veenker | Dean Drahota |