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GREENSBORO — Frustration toward the school system rose to the surface Thursday night as Northern Guilford High School parents jeered Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green as he answered questions about an investigation into the school's athletic department.

Early in the town hall-style meeting, a parent tried to reason with some in the crowd.

"We're not an angry mob."

A quick reply came from one audience member, who was applauded:

"Yes we are."

The anger stems from an announcement this week that five student athletes were found to be ineligible to play on teams at the school because they do not live in the school's district. This led to Northern's state basketball championship being stripped as well as the school's baseball team being forced out of this week's playoffs. Ineligible students were also found on the wrestling team, JV softball team and JV cheerleading squad.

Investigations continue into the school's football team, as well as into allegations of grade tampering and recruiting.

Much of the frustration was focused on the dismissal of basketball coach Stan Kowalewski. Many gathered in the school's auditorium clapped and shouted questions at Green as he read questions from the audience about Kowalewski, who is not a teacher at the school. Green declined to give any information about why Kowalewski's contract was not renewed.

Kowalewski told parents on Wednesday that Green said he wanted a fresh start for the basketball team.

Parents stood outside of the school before the session collecting signatures to petition for Kowalewski to be reinstalled. Kowalewski told parents he was considering taking legal action against the school system.

The most emotional testimonial about Kowalewski came from Leigh Dillard and her husband Victor, who was wheelchair-bound after a car accident in October. Leigh said she searched frantically for someone to take care of her son, Victor II. She called the only person she could think of, his coach.

"Coach K and his family looked out for us," Leigh said. "(Victor is) not even a starter and he looked out for him."

There were also questions about the fairness of the investigation, with several parents claiming player eligibility is an issue at every high school. When, many asked, would those schools be investigated? Green encouraged the audience to report any school they believe are using ineligible players.

Green said Wednesday night that the investigation into Northern has uncovered issues at other schools. He said Page High School's use of an ineligible football player in 2008 was considered closed until the mother of the student told the News & Record that Page officials knew her son did not live within the school's boundaries, but allowed him to play anyway.

Green and Jill Wilson, the schools system's lead attorney, declined to name other schools being looked into beyond Page. But Wilson likened the investigation to, of all things, a carnival game.

"Have you ever played the game Whack-a-Mole?" she asked. "That's what this is. Every day a new school pops up. I could give you a list of schools tonight and it would change by the next day."

There were also demands that Green extend his investigation to every high school. Green was responsible for a similar but much broader investigation while working for Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Schools.

"If that's what our community wants to do, that's what we'll do. I can tell you we will expend an enormous amount of resources," Green said.

The issues appear to have spilled into issues of intimidation as well. One audience member, who refused to be identified, questioned why a family turned the school in. The father of that family spoke up, asking Green to explain the situation, saying his wife works at the school and was questioned by school system administrators during the investigation. He also did not want to be named. Since then, he said, his wife and sons have been intimidated and threatened.

"We can point fingers at other employees and their children, and that begins to tell you something about the character of some of the individuals involved," Green said. "At some point, our community has to say this is unacceptable."

Staff Writer Robert Bell contributed to this report.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com