CJ in shock over coach's arrest

Tears flow at prayer service; star player voices support  for accused coach.

Former Chaminade Julienne's girls' basketball coach Marc Greenberg.

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By Chick Ludwig, Staff Writer Updated 1:49 PM Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Chaminade Julienne High School All-American Samarie Walker spent Thursday night, April 30, at a birthday party for her coach’s son.

CJ girls basketball coach Marc Greenberg’s son had turned 5, and the Greenbergs celebrated with family and friends at Chuck E Cheese’s in Miamisburg.

Four days later — Monday, May 4 — Walker and her teammates were pulled out of class for interviews with the FBI and Dayton police. School officials told the girls Greenberg had been arrested for allegedly using the Internet for the exploitation of minors.

“When they told us Coach Greenberg did something, I was like, ‘No, that’s not true. I’ve been around him for almost four years, and I just can’t believe it,’ ” Walker said.

As word of Greenberg’s arrest quickly spread, CJ’s players and parents held a prayer service in the chapel. Students were given the option of staying at school or going home. “Everybody was crying,” Walker said. “We just couldn’t believe it. I never would have thought, ever, something like this would happen. He’s like our second father.

“After the prayer service, we talked about how we have to stick by each other mainly, but also stick behind him because even if he did do wrong, we’re still going to be there for him and we still love him.

“In my mind, that’s still my coach, always. I don’t look down on him for what they said he did. He has to go to God for that.”

Walker, a junior who has verbally committed to reigning NCAA champion UConn, said the Eagles were making plans for the 2009-10 season. “I don’t know how we’ll take to having a new coach,” she said. “Not having him here is going to be a really hard transition.”

CJ Athletic Director Mike Raiff plans to meet with the assistant coaches this week. “We’ve got to keep some stability,” Raiff said. “This is just all so surreal.”

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