Top Stories

Players, parents start petition to reinstate Ringgold HS coach; interim coach named

MONONGAHELA, Pa. — Following the resignation of Riggold High School’s baseball coach Thursday, signatures are being gathered on a petition to have him reinstated.

Jim Coulter resigned as the baseball coach amid an investigation involving what parents say was unsavory behavior.

One parent accused players of hazing other teammates and drinking alcohol during a recent team trip.

“It's all blown out of proportion. (It) all snowballed into something it wasn't. Is this boys being boys? Yep, exactly,” said Travis Drusbasky, a Ringgold High School baseball player.

TRENDING NOW:

In the meantime, after a meeting Tuesday, school officials said Don Roberts would serve as the head coach for the remainder of the season.

Athletic Director Laura Grimm said in a statement:

"Last week the Administration of the Ringgold School District first learned of possible misconduct by students on the Ringgold baseball team during the recent trip to Florida.  As student safety is always the primary concern, an administrative team of the School District, including building principals, the Athletic Director and the Superintendent, immediately began an investigation. Before any specifics could be determined or conclusions made, the Varsity Baseball Coach, Mr. Jim Coulter, resigned his position voluntarily on Thursday evening. 
 
Since then, the investigation has continued, and it has subsequently been determined that there was misconduct on this trip by several members of the baseball program.  The School District is in the process of imposing the appropriate discipline to the individuals involved in these regrettable matters.  Regarding the specifics of the incidents that occurred, as they involve minor students, the School District is not permitted to comment further in this matter.    
 
Further, the Administration, in conjunction with the School Board, is working to review and revise School District policy to address matters such as those that occurred on the recent Florida trip. This dedicated effort is to assure that such incidents will not occur in the future, so that the safety and wellbeing of the School District's children will never be compromised.
 
Mr. Minniti, high school principal, and Ms. Grimm, Athletic Director, held a player meeting on Tuesday afternoon to introduce Don Roberts as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2017 season. The remaining interim coaching staff will be named over the next few days. Moving forward, practices will resume on Wednesday afternoon and games will resume as scheduled, beginning Friday, April 7. A revised schedule was provided to the team members and schedule updates will continue to be posted on the Ringgold athletic website - www.ringgoldrams.org http://www.ringgoldrams.org."

The Ringgold High School athletic director said student safety is a top priority and the investigation is being conducted because the trip involved minors.

“It’s kids being kids -- doing things they were told not to do,” said Joe Brozinski, a parent.

Brozinski also said the coaches aren’t to blame because the players signed a code of conduct contract. He thinks some of the parents are taking this too far.

“The more I learn, the more a certain couple of parents (are) lying about it, flat out lying,” Brozinski said.

The petition has gained signatures with players and some parents hoping to get Coulter reinstated before the season gets underway. Parents plan to show the petition to the school board and athletic director.

 

Cox Media Group

Most Read