Community Rallies Around Fired Longtime Volleyball Coach
As reported Monday, Franz Boelter, longtime volleyball head coach at Bethlehem Academy in Faribault, was fired on Friday, based upon accusations by some students of 'stories of [alleged] mental abuse.' He has been at the school for 25 years and has a record of over 700 wins. He was also the Varsity Boys Basketball coach with 613 victories.
Students were outside the school on Monday, in the cold, protesting the firing. Next years Co-Captains Olivia Nass and Delaney Donahue told KDHL/Power96 that he was fired for "unjust manners" So they started to protest to show support for the coach. Gordy asked them if they ever saw the alleged mental abuse and they said "no."
Coach Boelter issued a statement on Monday evening, but declined to record it for KDHL/Power96. He stated that he wanted to make clear that even though he was planing on retiring from the advancement office position he held, at the end of the year, he was not resigning from his coaching position. He also indicated that none of the issues that were stated to him in his dismissal had never been discussed in his many years at the school.
All that Principal and President Chuck Briscoe could say is that the decision was made on Friday. That Boelter will be on the job as advancement officer until June 30 and that he did "a nice job at B.A." He lead the capital campaign and was a long time coach. That's all he could comment on at this time.
On Facebook we have seen comments such as:
- "Very sad result of our current muddled thinking. Franz deserves better."
- "I want you to know Im proud of your kiddos for this morning! Supporting all of you and Franz! Another one.
- "This is unbelievable! Franz is a great coach and teacher. Are parents involved in this? "
At this time it does not appear this decision will be changed. The Volleyball captains would like to get together a meeting between parties involved in this and get everything out in view of the public. No word if that will actually happen yet.