LISLE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — This story has been updated to reflect new information.
Benet Academy in Lisle has found itself under fire for allegedly rescinding its hiring of a lacrosse coach who is a married lesbian.
Benet Academy’s own mission statement states in part that Benet wants graduating seniors to leave the academy "having developed an attitude of compassion, justice, and respect for all people, regardless of age, gender, race, culture, religion, talent, ability, or socio-economic status."
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Now, many students, parents, and alumni are on board in support of veteran lacrosse coach Amanda Kammes.
Kammes was offered the head coaching position at Benet Academy in Lisle about two weeks ago, according to assistant coach Colleen Savell, who spoke to Kammes about the situation.
After receiving an offer, Kammes completed a background check and all necessary citations for the position, Savell said. But after Kammes listed her wife as an emergency contact on a school form, the offer was allegedly rescinded.
“When you don’t agree on something, you should speak out on the matter,” Savell said during a protest outside the school Monday. “You shouldn’t stay silent.”
Savell told CBS 2 she had no doubt as to why Kammes’ job offer was rescinded.
“One hundred percent it was pulled because who she was married to,” Savell said. “I want the girls and the students at Benet to know that this is not OK. This is not the example that we should be setting for the students here.”
Benet alum Tim Jacklich told CBS 2 more than 2,000 fellow alumni, along with about 600 parents of current students and nearly 300 current students, have signed a letter urging Benet to reverse its decision.
“The most frustrating piece of this is that Amanda was not being hired as a religion teacher, or in a position where she would be responsible for supporting the Catholic Church’s practices or religious traditions,” Jacklich told CBS 2.
The group said Kammes' track record as a lacrosse coach should be the main focus for her employment. And they added that Kammes is also an alumna of the school.
“This former student, who is interested in coming back and supporting her school – she was not valuable, or not worthy of recognition and celebration, because of who she loves...
“In fact, they feel quite strongly that this contradicts the character of this institution that we had all kind of come to love and support,” Jacklich told CBS 2.
There’s been no response from Benet Academy, although there’s a report the school may issue a statement Tuesday. Additionally, according to the Sun-Times, the school administration issued an email statement to Benet families.
“Benet Academy respects the dignity of all human beings to follow their conscience and to live lives of their choosing,” Jamie Moss, a Benet spokeswoman, said in the email. “Likewise, as a Catholic school, we employ individuals whose lives manifest the essential teachings of the Church in order to provide the education and faith formation of the young people entrusted to our care.”
Amanda Kammes is a graduate of Benet Academy. She previously coached lacrosse in Pennsylvania, leading a team to two state titles; and most recently coached at Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, while also running the Lakeshore Lacrosse program in the Chicago area.
reversed itself and offered a coaching job to a woman who had been initially turned down when the school learned she was married to another woman.
Benet Academy offered Amanda Kammes the job of girls lacrosse head coach after a Monday evening meeting of the school’s board of directors. The board said Kammes has accepted the job.
The school has since reversed itself and offered a coaching job to a woman who had been initially turned down when the school learned she was married to another woman.
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