School Abuse Claims; Athletes, Parents Defend Coaches

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education has approved the appointment of law firm Harris Beach, PLLC to investigate allegations made in a letter by Safe Athletes For Everyone, which contained statements from former student-athletes and parents claiming “a toxic culture of alleged abusive coaching,” within several of the district’s athletic programs.

The letter was sent on Oct. 2 by attorney Martin Greenberg, representing Safe Athletes for Everyone, to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa, Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young, and NYSPHSAA Executive Director Robert Zayas.

Many allegations in the SAFE letter were made anonymously. It also included a statement from 1989 graduate Kristen (Gecewicz) Gunning, who referred to the running program as “a toxic culture of control and abuse of middle and high school girls all in the name of winning.” Other statements were included from Ann Marie Pendergast, parent of a former girls varsity soccer player. Pendergast had described the team’s culture as “demoralizing and unhealthy.”

At the Oct. 24 Board of Education meeting, several current and former student-athletes, as well as parents of student-athletes, spoke strongly in support of district athletic programs, with many saying their experiences did not reflect complaints that were described in the letter. A majority of speakers at the meeting spoke regarding the school’s running program.

“I will forever be grateful for the opportunities this team has provided to my girls. They have empowered and supported countless young ladies,” said parent Jennifer Hart.

Dan Sacco, a 1992 Saratoga graduate, said his time with the running teams was “easily the most formative and memorable part of (his) high school career.”

“I think what makes my experience a little different than some of the other speakers is that not only did I have a great experience, but I’ve had over 30 years of looking back and fondly remembering that experience,” said Sacco. “To now have that publicly portrayed as a toxic environment, when my memory has all been positive, isn’t something that I feel like I can sit back and not respond to.”

Valerie Belisle, a parent, said she has “nothing negative to say about the program,” saying they helped to teach life skills such as perseverance and integrity. 

At the meeting on Tuesday, District Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton read a statement released by the district, stating in part that the review from Harris Beach would examine complaints made in the letter and how they were handled, as well as audit the culture of current athletic programs.

“The process outlined above will be thorough and deliberative. It will be given the resources and time required for a first-rate examination,” part of Patton’s statement read. “The results and recommendations will be carefully considered by the Board of Education and shared with the community.”

“As educators, we are entrusted with the awesome responsibility of educating and attending to the wellbeing of all our students and student athletes. This is a responsibility we share with their parents and families and with our dedicated teachers, coaches and staff members who give of themselves to help our young people rise to their full potential,” Patton’s statement continued. “It is important to everyone involved in our athletic program that our community has confidence in the program’s integrity and excellence. Allegations such as these deserve to be taken seriously and not allowed to linger unanswered. We believe this comprehensive, independent review will benefit our athletic program, our school district, and our students, and we ask that all involved support this process with their full cooperation.”