Milwaukee ? You say the coach isn’t playing your little Johnny or little Susie and the big dummy is costing your kid a shot at a full ride to State U?

You say this klutz doesn’t know his X’s and O’s from his P’s and Q’s and he is ruining your kid’s self-esteem?

You can say these things if you wish, but be forewarned that there may be consequences.

Laurie Prasnicki of Gilman, Wis., a tiny burg of 300 located 60 miles northeast of Eau Claire, recently learned that lesson the hard way.

Prasnicki did not approve of the methods of Gilman High girls basketball coach Thomas Goebel, who in 13 years compiled a 207-84 record and took the school (enrollment 207) to the Division 4 state championship in 1995 and 1997.

She made Goebel’s dismissal her mission in life, railing about him at school board meetings and in letters to the editor of the local paper, the Medford Star News.

Prasnicki’s quarrel with Goebel wasn’t over his coaching ability. It was over his methods. Even Goebel would admit he has a tendency to be, shall we say, brutally frank with his players.

When Prasnicki’s daughter, Donelle, the sixth player on the 1997 team, lost her starting position the following year and quit the team, the feud escalated. Apparently, Prasnicki crossed the line when she accused Goebel of sexual harassment.

“It had just gotten to the point where I had to defend myself,” said Goebel, a 49-year-old dairy farmer and the father of five children. “There were accusations made that I was getting sexual gratification by hugging the girls.”

Goebel and his wife, Evelyn, sued Prasnicki for defamation of character in a Taylor County court. And, after a 10-day jury trial ending on May 14, a decision was rendered that should send chills down the spine of extreme sports parents everywhere.

The Goebels won their case, and an award of $47,500. Prasnicki has indicated she may yet appeal the decision, but Goebel feels that vindication is his.

“It isn’t about the money now, and it never was,” he said. “The school conducted an investigation. Social services conducted an investigation and neither of them found any misconduct. Now the court decision proves it.”

The Goebels’ courtroom victory opens a whole new can of worms. Will coaches now feel the need to “take ’em to court” as their defense against overzealous parents?

“I don’t know if this is the start of a trend,” said WIAA deputy director Frank McCormick. “But I would certainly hope that anyone who is critical of a coach is sure about what they are saying.

“It’s easy to make allegations, and allegations are taken very seriously. But again, people should be very sure of what they are saying.”

Prasnicki denied a request for an interview, but did make the following statement: “I took a stand for what I believe is right, but unfortunately the results were not in my favor. The girls were always my main concern. In my heart I know I was right.”

Goebel not only denies the sexual harassment allegations but the notion that he is too rough on the girls.

“I don’t believe I have a gruff or intimidating style at all,” he said. “I think I get along well with my players, but I have expectations for them.”