Maine Central Institute is, for the second time in two years, dishing out punishment to a varsity basketball coach.

Last year, I watched and listened as coach Bill Brooks took his star player out of a game, told him he was playing like a girl and looked down the bench at a nonstarter and said, “I might as well play —- as to have you in the game.” You had to feel sorry for this kid who had just been held out as an example of ineptitude and for the star who was getting a public browbeating; but this exchange also had a touch of humor, albeit black humor.

Maybe it’s time for the Maine School Principals Association to require a standard of conduct for coaches and to require a certification process. A school that didn’t comply wouldn’t be allowed to participate in the tournament.

Two years ago a varsity coach left MCI in mid-season after telling the team to vote whether or not he should stay. Last year a varsity coach was punished with a suspension after a tirade of profanity. This year a varsity coach was given a leave. Does MCI have a problem? Dana Brown, Pittsfield