After a week of silence from Pine-Richland, officials are speaking out as to why they fired successful football coach Eric Kasperowicz.
School board president Peter Lyons spoke for around five minutes on Tuesday afternoon and did not take any questions from reporters.
The district previously released a statement saying they did not talk about personnel issues but confirmed they would be advertising for the position of head varsity football coach.
Lyons said the reason for the press conference was due to “the increased traffic on social media and other media platforms perpetuates untruths, half-truths which are a threat to the District, the students, staff and community.
Lyons said Kasperowicz and his staff did not have their contracts renewed after a three-month investigation into allegations of hazing and bullying within the football program.
"Over a period of three months, an investigation was conducted into specific allegations of inappropriate student conduct and a broader allegation of misconduct within the football program," Lyons said.
The district cited three reasons for the decision:
1. Findings from the three-month investigation
2. Documented football program related events over multiple years during the Coach’s tenure with the program, and
3. The interview itself with Coach Kasperowicz was critical.
A statement released by Pine-Richland claims they interviewed dozens of students, parents, coaches (including Kasperowicz) in regards to allegations of hazing, bullying intimidation and “rites of passage.”
Lyons adds that any “statement indicating that no reason was given for the district’s actions is categorically false.”
The district also acknowledged Kasperowicz and his staff's success on the field winning four WPIAL championships and two PIAA titles.
"The district is aware of, and acknowledges, the successful winning record of the program and its importance to many student athletes."
A representative for Kasperowicz said the former coach was not ready to respond to Tuesday's district press conference.
Students and others in the community have been rallying behind Kasperowicz since the news broke.