Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
Jason Grace was dismissed as Bishop McDevitt boys basketball head coach three weeks before tryouts for the 2025-2026 season due to what he believes was a misunderstanding over fundraising. Grace was informed his contract was not being renewed on Oct. 15 due to a first offense of “process and procedural infraction,” which he claims stems from the purchase of new jerseys with funds raised by the boys basketball program. According to the former coach, he was called in to meet with new Bishop McDevitt President Jay Wrabel — only their second meeting — and informed of the decision. “I think it comes down to a big misunderstanding,” Grace said. The dispute arose in September when Grace said Bishop McDevitt administrators informed him that funds generated from boys basketball fundraising efforts to purchase new jerseys — an order made in January — were not available for use. The school’s grievance stemmed from the absence of a purchase order for the jerseys. “I was under the impression that the money would be in our account for equipment and uniforms that I ordered months before the new president even arrived at the school,” Grace said. “When we met in September, there was some conversation that all those accounts had been swept to zero [dollars remaining].” Grace says he had never been asked to submit a purchase order in his previous two-plus seasons as head coach. “How do you want me to go back retroactively, apologize for not having paperwork in place, and earmark money for something we fundraised for for the bill in September?” Grace said. “I think to fire somebody or terminate somebody or not renew their contract over a first offense for a procedural or process infraction sounds a little ridiculous to me.” Bishop McDevitt administration acknowledged Grace’s departure when reached for comment. “We made the decision not to renew his contract, so we’re moving on,” Bishop McDevitt principal Vince Harper said. Harper declined any further comment on the circumstances around Grace’s exit. Grace says the basketball program kept full accounting of its fundraising and spending. According to documents provided by Grace, the program earmarked $11,643.50 for uniforms, which were ordered from Sports Paradise in Harrisburg on January 17, 2025. While that purchase temporarily put the basketball program’s self-tracked funds in the red, a major Christmas tournament hosted by Bishop McDevitt, year-long concessions and summer camp registrations put the program’s tally at $8413.35 in the green according to Grace’s records. Grace says he sought a resolution with the administration in the Oct. 15 meeting, but was unable to bridge the gap. “I run a pretty successful business in the community,” Grace, the CEO of Landmark Commercial Realty, said. “Pulling my checkbook out and paying for something, like I’ve done in years past is absolutely no problem, but I didn’t think it was the right thing to do here.” Following his dismissal, Grace gathered his Crusaders team to announce his departure. “I had a meeting that Thursday with my guys, and I wanted them to know I didn’t quit on them,” Grace said. “I’m sure [McDevitt] would have appreciated me just resigning for personal reasons, but I wasn’t willing to do that.” In two seasons at Bishop McDevitt, Grace went 23-23 with a young core, highlighted by a state playoff qualification last season. The Crusaders fell to eventual state champion Devon Prep in the first round, 77-63. He says throughout his tenure, he received nothing but praise from administrators at McDevitt. “All [the comments] I have gotten in the last three years on multiple occasions from both [athletic director] Connor Marsico and [principal] Vince Harper were, ‘You’re doing an unbelievable job,’” Grace said. “You’re cultivating young men in the manner that we like; we love the fact you’re not a hassle to us. You’re not asking for anything.’” But this saga has left Grace unlikely to coach high school basketball again anytime soon. “It’s definitely been a disenfranchising or disheartening experience to see all the work that went in and the sacrifice and to, in a few days, just up in smoke, so quickly,” Grace said. Bishop McDevitt has moved on to a replacement, hiring former Crusaders head coach Jim Rowe. Grace believes with returning players like Ethan Hammer and Pat Denisco leading the way, the group will have success no matter the circumstances. He emphasized that he has nothing but support for the Bishop McDevitt team, athletic department and community. “I’ll be watching,” Grace said. “I may not be on the sideline, but I’ll be watching. I’m confident in this group of kids and the pieces that are there now, and the kids that have come up in 9th and 10th grade, that they’re making strides.” “This is going to be an unbelievable next couple years for Bishop McDevitt basketball, and they can take from me whatever they want, my title, my position on the sideline, but I know the legacy is the work we put in the last two seasons.”
