School district fires superintendent over claims she harassed softball players who didn't clap loudly enough for her daughter
A San Diego-area school district fired its superintendent over claims she harassed high school softball players who didn't clap loudly enough for her daughter at an awards ceremony.
What are the details?
The Poway Unified School District voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps, KNSD-TV reported.
The station said an independent investigation commenced last year after parents and students accused Phelps of harassing members of Del Norte High School's softball team.
Students told KNSD Phelps contacted players late at night after the awards ceremony and threatened seniors' graduation privileges if they failed to apologize for not clapping for her daughter. The station said the allegations first surfaced at a Poway Board meeting, but parents said they alerted the district months earlier.
In addition, a Del Norte High softball player filed a lawsuit against Phelps and the district over the alleged bullying, claiming emotional distress, violation of free speech, and harassment, KNSD said.
More from the station:
It alleges Phelps orchestrated an internal investigation of the plaintiff, whom Phelps accused of bullying her daughter — the two players were both pitchers and competed for playing time. The plaintiff believes the investigation was meant to prevent her from pitching or playing softball altogether, according to the lawsuit. Jane Doe was ultimately barred from all extracurricular activities in the 2023-2024 school year, including sports, school-sponsored social events and graduation commencement.
Phelps has denied all allegations, KNSD reported, noting that she issued the following statement earlier in the process: “I've never threatened any student. I never would. I've never talked to any student about making threats about them not graduating. All those accusations are completely false and fabricated.”
Attorney Justin Reden represents the Del Norte High School softball player and her family who filed the lawsuit last November, and he told the station that no student should have to go through what his client endured.
Reden added to KNSD: “I think that the district is going to need to dismantle itself at the administrative level and rebuild."
Parent Melinda Huntoon told the station that "it should not take a year with the knowledge that they had. There was just so much evidence from the start to show that this person should not be in this position of power."
School board President Michelle O'Connor-Ratcliff said in an email, KNSD reported, that "based on her conduct, as revealed to the board through the investigation, the board has lost all confidence and trust in Dr. Phelps’ ability to continue to serve as superintendent, as well as in her ability to continue to work collaboratively with the board as part of Poway Unified’s governance team."
O'Connor-Ratcliff also said the "investigation brought to light previously unknown evidence from witnesses with direct first-hand knowledge that contradicted Dr. Phelps’ statements and assertions to the Board, District staff, and the public," the station reported.
A district spokeswoman added to KNSD that Tuesday would be Phelps' last day, and she won't receive a payout for the balance of her contract since she was terminated "for cause."
The station explained that while the district no longer employs Phelps, she's still a parent of a student in the district, and there are no restrictions on her parental activities.
KNSD said it tried reaching out to Phelps for comment but didn't receive a response.
The station said Greg Mizel will continue to serve as interim superintendent during the transition period.
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'White media' put Juwan Howard — now-former Michigan basketball coach — on 'hot seat,' reporter declares at news conference
A reporter told Juwan Howard during a Wednesday night news conference — when Howard was still head basketball coach for the University of Michigan — that "white media" put him on the "hot seat" amid a disappointing season.
The Wolverines had just lost that night to Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament, and Howard indeed was fired Friday in the wake of an 8-24 record, which ESPN called "one of its worst seasons in 60 years."
But it sure seemed like Charles Hallman — a staff writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder — had other things on his mind at the news conference.
Hallman — whose X bio indicates he's a "longtime Black journalist who works hard at what I do" — opened with the following to Howard: "Coach ... first of all, we’re praying for you that your health will improve." Howard had heart surgery in September.
"Thank you, brother," Howard replied. "I appreciate that, man."
With that, Hallman continued with what sounded much more like a racially charged statement than a question.
"There’s three black coaches in this conference, and throughout the season each one of you has been put on a hot seat by the white media. I’m hoping that you survive this because we know black coaches sometimes don’t," Hallman said. "But can you speak on just the fact that the three of you are doing the job that you’ve been hired to do, representing as coaches? There was black kids in the stands today that got to see you coach and will see the other two black coaches during this tournament. Can you just speak on that?"
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Howard didn't seem to directly address Hallman's racially charged words but others sure did:
- "What a sad world we live in," another commenter said. "Pathetic."
- "This crap is getting really old," another user stated. "It’s a tiresome act."
- "Poor Juwan can't catch a break, this racist country is really holding him down," another commenter quipped.
- "'White media...'. Buddy you went 8-24. The excuses people use today for poor performance is embarrassing," another user observed.
- "His black boss hired him and fired him," another commenter noted. "This [is] really nothing to fuss about."
But at least one X user backed Hallman's words: "Don’t have to like the question but it was asked. Coach Howard has had a bad season... historically bad at that. I do appreciate the media being called exactly what they are. They’re not the Black media, so they’re definitely the white media."
Anything else?
ESPN, citing sources, said UM still owes Howard $3 million.
More from the sports network:
Howard was suspended for five games in February 2022 for hitting Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in the face after a game. During the postgame handshake line after Wisconsin's 77-63 win, Howard and Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard exchanged words before being surrounded by players and coaches. In the ensuing scrum, Krabbenhoft exchanged words with Howard and then Howard reached out and struck Krabbenhoft's face.
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Video: Catholic HS football coach punches player during game. Coach now out of a job.
An assistant coach for a Catholic high school football team in Florida was caught on video punching a player during a game last week — and that coach is now out of a job.
What are the details?
The unnamed assistant coach for Jesuit High School in Tampa was seen striking one his players on the helmet as the player ran off the field toward the sideline during Friday night's contest against rival Tampa Catholic, WTVT-TV reported.
The defensive player wearing a number 94 jersey appeared to be trying to exit the field of play before the ball was snapped, the Tampa Bay Times said, adding the assistant coach appeared to strike the player with a closed hand.
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Jesuit High's head coach, Matt Thompson, did not identify the assistant Saturday night and would say only that “the matter is being addressed," the paper reported.
However, school president Rev. Richard C. Hermes, S.J., issued the following statement about the incident:
I am writing to make you aware of an incident that occurred this past Friday night during the Jesuit home football game. Between plays on the field, one of our part-time assistant coaches struck a Jesuit player on the helmet as the player was coming off the field and onto the sideline.
This behavior contradicts what the school stands for and is completely contrary to the expectation we have for coaches, moderators, and faculty members, who are to be role models for our students and mentors in their development as young men.
We have reached out to the student, who was not injured in the incident, and to his family. We have met with the coach and informed him that he will no longer be coaching Jesuit football or assisting the school in any other capacity.
The mission of Jesuit is to provide a Christian formation and education for our students. This requires that we maintain an environment for them that is safe, supportive, and conducive to their well-being and growth. This standard applies to all activities, inside and outside the classroom. We are reviewing our internal procedures and staff training to ensure that this standard is upheld by all Jesuit personnel, full-time and part-time.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement in helping us to better fulfill our mission.
Jesuit won the game 66-35 and will host Pinellas Park (6-4) in the opening round of the Class 3M, Region 2 playoffs Friday, the Times reported.
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Former CIA director blasted over apparent suggestion that Sen. Tuberville should be whacked over his blockade of military confirmations
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has attracted numerous critics in Washington and the administrative state as a result of his principled stance against the Pentagon's "illegal abortion policy" and the U.S. military's various woke encumbrances. On Monday, the former head of the CIA made clear he was among them.
Whereas some of those critical of Tuberville's refusal to approve military nominations en masse have attempted character assassinations, former CIA Director Michael Hayden appears to have a different kind of assassination in mind.
What's the background?
In the wake of the Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling, the Department of Defense implemented a policy and corresponding programs whereby taxpayer money would be spent on abortion in the military far beyond what is permitted under federal law. Accordingly, the Pentagon will now fund travel for service members and their dependents seeking to exterminate their unborn children and also provide them with paid time off.
Noting that this "is an illegal expansion of DoD authority and gross misuse of taxpayer dollars," Tuberville took a stand.
Military nominees are usually confirmed in blocks of nominations by unanimous consent. This ensures a speedy turnaround. Hoping to chasten the Pentagon and prompt it to reverse what he deemed an "illegal abortion policy," Tuberville made clear he would invoke senatorial privilege and withhold consent.
TheBlaze previously noted that holds do not amount to blocks on nominations but require the majority leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) presently, to follow formal processes on the Senate floor. Tuberville has repeatedly indicated he's just forcing the Senate to take roll-call votes.
Despite claims from the Democrats and certain Republicans alike that Tuberville's stand poses a threat to national security, Schumer buckled last month, setting up votes on individual nominees and demonstrating there had always been a workaround.
Spooky suggestion
A Democratic X user named Nathalie Jacoby posed the question Monday, "Should Tommy Tuberville be removed from his committee? Yes or No?"
Hayden — a cosigner of the bogus Oct. 19, 2020, letter that sought to discredit the New York Post's damning Hunter Biden laptop story ahead of the last presidential election — replied, "How about the human race?"
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The suggestion from Hayden — who ran the National Security Agency when America was attacked in 2001 and previously called Tuberville an "idiot" — that a sitting U.S. senator be removed from the human race has prompted backlash online.
Stephen Miller, a contributing editor at the Spectator, wrote, "Sorry what?"
Gregg Re of the Daily Wire wrote, "Former CIA director hayden (torture enthusiast and left-wing hero) is seen here wishing for the death of a sitting US senator, Tommy Tuberville."
Federalist editor in chief Mollie Hemingway wrote, "Former CIA Director Michael Hayden calls for the assassination of Sen. Tuberville because the senator is performing desperately needed oversight of the U.S. Military. Hayden, a renowned civil liberties violator, promoted the Biden laptop coverup and the Russia collusion scam."
Logan Dobson, the vice president of the Republican strategy firm Targeted Victory, tweeted, "Them: The media and the deep state are not out to get Republicans, that's a conspiracy theory. CNN National Security Analyst And Former Head Of The CIA Michael Hayden: Tommy Tuberville should be assassinated."
A number of users have attempted to flag the attention of the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI over what they interpreted to be a threat.
Long before he suggested that Tuberville be removed from the human race, Hayden agreed with the characterization of Republicans as "nihilistic, dangerous & contemptible," adding, "And I was the CIA Director."
A spokesman for Tuberville indicated over the weekend that the Alabama Republican isn't backing down.
"The Pentagon clearly thinks forcing taxpayers to facilitate abortion is more important than confirming their top nominees without a vote. They could end this situation TODAY by dropping their illegal and immoral policy and get everyone confirmed rapidly, but they refuse," Tuberville spokesman Steve Stafford told NBC News.
"If the Biden administration wants their nominees confirmed then Senate Democrats can do what Coach just did in September and file a cloture petition to force a vote," added Stafford.
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25-year-old former college football tight end dies after suffering heart attack while jogging
Jake Hescock — a 25-year-old former college football tight end who played for a pair of Division 1 programs — has died after suffering a heart attack, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
What are the details?
Hescock — who played for the University of Wisconsin and the University of Central Florida — was jogging in Boston on Dec. 6 when he suffered a cardiac arrest, the paper said.
A passerby provided CPR, and Hescock was taken to a hospital before being placed on life support, the Sentinel said.
Hescock’s cousin Lisa Walz Mlynarczyk wrote Sunday on Facebook, "It is with a heavy heart that I have to say my cousin Jake has passed on, may he Rest in Peace and forever shine his bright soul down upon us ..."
Mlynarczyk noted in her post that damage to Hescock's brain from lack of oxygen was "severe."
What was Hescock's football history?
The Sentinel reported that Hescock was a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, attended Salisbury School in Connecticut, and then went to the University of Wisconsin to play football. The paper said after his freshman season, Hescock — a 6-foot-7 tight end — transferred to the University of Central Florida, where he played from 2017 to 2021.
Here's a tribute tweet from UCF:
\u201cWe are devastated to hear of the passing of Jake Hescock. He was beloved by everyone within Knight Nation.\n\nOur deepest condolences go out to everyone who knew Jake. He was taken too soon and will be greatly missed.\u201d— Varsity Knights (@Varsity Knights) 1670783589
After sitting out the 2017 season due to his transfer, Hescock caught two passes for 13 yards and 1 touchdown in the 2018 season, the Sentinel said. Hescock became the team’s top tight end in 2019, making nine catches for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns, the paper said. In 2020, he caught 10 passes for 53 yards and three touchdowns, the Sentinel noted, adding that his final season was 2021.
Following college, Hescock moved back to Massachusetts and retired from football, the paper reported.
'So hard to lose a guy with so much life about him'
“We’re heartbroken to hear of Jake’s passing," UCF head coach Gus Malzahn tweeted. "He was an incredible person, who embodied what it means to be a UCF Knight. Everyone who knew Jake loved him, and he was a blessing to coach. He will be greatly missed.”
\u201cWe\u2019re heartbroken to hear of Jake\u2019s passing. He was an incredible person, who embodied what it means to be a UCF Knight. Everyone who knew Jake loved him and he was a blessing to coach.He will be greatly missed. Kristi and I\u2019s prayers are with his whole family.\u201d— Coach Gus Malzahn (@Coach Gus Malzahn) 1670784251
“Jake Hescock was one of the most authentic guys I’ve ever been around,” former UCF quarterback Mikey Keene tweeted. “He was an incredible person and an even better friend. He made everyone around him a better person. Rest in Peace brother. You will be missed by all."
UCF linebacker Quade Mosier tweeted, “Always the craziest dude in the room! Was always a big brother to me since I got to UCF. Going to miss the river with you, Jake.”
\u201cAlways the craziest dude in the room! Was always a big brother to me since i got to UCF. Gonna miss going to the river with you Jake! Rest easy brother Love you!\ud83d\udd4a\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Quade Mosier (@Quade Mosier) 1670781834
“Jake, I love you bro. I’m so thankful that GOD let me be a part of your life,” UCF tight end Alec Holler tweeted. “It was a blessing to get to know you. I’ll never forget you, 88. Please keep the whole Hescock family in your prayers.”
\u201cJake, I love you bro. I\u2019m so thankful that GOD let me be a part of your life. It was a blessing to get to know you. I\u2019ll never forget you 88\u2764\ufe0f Please keep the whole Hescock family in your prayers\u201d— Alec Holler (@Alec Holler) 1670781393
“So hard to lose a guy with so much life about him," UCF tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Brian Blackmon tweeted. "His spirit was contagious and everyone who knew Jake loved him. Our prayers are with his family and friends, asking for peace and comfort for all. Lamentations 3:32."
\u201cSo hard to lose a guy with so much life about him. His spirit was contagious and everyone who knew Jake loved him. Our prayers are with his family and friends, asking for peace and comfort for all. Lamentations 3:32\u201d— Brian Blackmon (@Brian Blackmon) 1670783769
Wisconsin Football tweeted, "Saddened to learn of the passing of former Badger Jake Hescock. Taken from us too soon. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
Breaking: Ex-USA Gymnastics coach kills himself after being hit with 24 charges including sexual assault
John Geddert, a former women's head coach for USA Gymnastics, has died by suicide.
His death was reported hours after the state of Michigan filed 24 criminal charges — including sexual assault and human trafficking —against Geddert, who had ties to disgraced team doctor Larry Nassar.
What are the details?
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) held a press conference Thursday announcing the charges against Geddert, which "break down into 14 counts of human trafficking, six counts of human tracking of a minor and single counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation," Law & Crime reported.
According to The Detroit News, Geddert previously owned Twistars USA, a gymnastics facility where multiple victims of Nassar claimed they were assaulted. After Nassar pleaded guilty in 2018 to sexually abusing 10 minors, a criminal investigation into Geddert was launched and the coach transferred ownership of the gym to his wife.
While Geddert was connected to Nassar and was accused of covering up the doctor's crimes, the coach was also accused of committing assaults and other abuses himself.
The outlet noted:
Nessel emphasized the crimes alleged against Geddert were a result of his own behavior, which encompassed incidents between 2008 and 2018. The two sexual assault charges against Geddert are alleged to have occurred in January 2012 and involve a reported victim between the ages of 13 and 16.
Rachael Denhollander, the first victim to come forward and publicly accuse Nassar of sexual assault, tweeted prior to Geddert being found dead, "Geddert's abuse, like so much, was never a secret. EVER. In my memoir I wrote about knowing of it even as a club level gymnast in 2000. Because we have to grapple with the reality that it was known, and no one stopped him. It was known, and he was promoted and given more power."
A spokesperson from Nessel's office confirmed that Geddert had been expected to turn himself in to the Eaton County Sheriff's Department at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, but never arrived. Less than an hour later, it was reported that Geddert had killed himself.
Nessel released a statement in response to Geddert's death, saying, "My office has been notified that the body of John Geddert was found late this afternoon after taking his own life. This is a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved."
.@MIAttyGen @dananessel Issues Statement in Response to News of John Geddert's Deathhttps://t.co/hVNau3mHyV https://t.co/plTBFe3zoF— Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (@Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel)1614288405.0
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