High School Coach: ‘I Stand Behind Pavano 100 Percent’

Longtime Southington High School baseball coach John Fontana had one word to describe his reaction when he learned Thursday that his former star baseball player was a possible target of extortion efforts: shocked.

“I’m just in disbelief right now. Carl was one of the nicest kids I ever coached and we still stay in touch,” Fontana, now retired from coaching, said. “The accusations made regarding his personal life hold no water. That’s not the kid I know.”

Pavano, who is slated as the opening day starter for the Minnesota Twins, was identified this week that began in December. A search warrant, released through Bristol Superior Court, identifies 36-year-old Christian Bedard as the target of the investigation.

According to the warrant, Bedard contacted Pavano’s sister Michelle DeGennaro, also a Southington resident, on Dec. 18, 2011, and said he wanted a heartfelt apology and “a navy Range Rover with tan leather” for the way he was treated by Pavano.

Bedard, a classmate of Pavano’s at , has said that between the ages of 14 and 17, the two maintained a sexual relationship and that Pavano was his first love.

Police have an ongoing investigation and declined comment. No arrest has been made in the case.

In a statement released to Southington Patch Thursday, Bedard publicly denied that the effort was extortion and said the comments made to DeGennaro were a response. He said it was DeGennaro who made first contact, asking what it would take to keep him from sharing his story about her brother.

"I have been openly gay for most of my adult life.  For years, my physical high school relationship with Carl Pavano has been well-known to my close friends and family,” Bedard said in the statement.

“I stated to Ms. DeGennaro that I wanted an apology from Carl for how he treated me at the end of our relationship and, expressly in jest, a Range Rover SUV,” he said. “I did not attempt to extort money from Carl Pavano. My local police department is in possession of the transcript of my Facebook exchange with Ms. DeGennaro, including my express language indicating to Ms. DeGennaro that my Range Rover comments were made in jest.”

Bedard declined further comment.

Pavano responded to reports through the Minnesota Twins organization on Thursday afternoon, telling ESPN officials that he would not comment on the reports. DeGennaro could not be reached for comment.

Fontana coached Pavano for four years, from 1991-1994, and said he was one of the hardest working athletes he’s ever had. Pavano had unprecedented success in high school and helped carry the Blue Knights to a state championship in 1994.

Of all the athletes he’s coached, Fontana said he has maintained a closer relationship with Pavano than any others and does not believe reports that he might be gay.

“There’s no truth to that. He’s a good looking kid, but I always kept tabs on my players and he was always a ladies man,” Fontana said. “If anything, his problem had been his love of women. These reports that he might be gay are disturbing because they just aren’t true.”

Fontana said if he were in Pavano’s position, he would spend considerable money to make sure the truth comes out. He said name recognition is everything and believes Pavano will take the proper steps to make sure his name is cleared of any personal accusations.

He said he has seen this too many times as the president of the High School Coaches Association, a role he has served since 1988, and plans to stand behind Pavano through it all.

“You see this every day with those who find success. Turn on Hollywood Extra for an hour – it’s all about lawsuits and rumors,” Fontana said. “I stand behind Pavano 100 percent.”