Schools

Players Make Pitch to Save Middle School Softball Coach

Board of Education tables action to replace coach Rich Rosenblum.

After a group of former middle school softball players made a plea for HMS softball coach Rich Rosenblum, the board of education delayed action Monday on a resolution to replace him.

Board members offered no comment on the motion to move assistant wrestling coach Mark Dubyna into the middle school softball coaching position, but the players left little doubt they felt Rosenblum had been a good leader.

"I learned a lot from him both on the field and life lessons including responsibility, commitment and leadership," Rebecca Delaney, who said she played two seasons on the middle school team, said. "I hope he'll continue to be the middle school softball coach and keep the past traditions of the team for years to come."

All of the speakers, with also included two fathers of players, praised Rosenblum's coaching and demeanor, with several saying he was a father figure for them at the middle school.

The board withdrew the resolution after board President Thomas Kinst moved to have it pulled from voting and sent to the Human Resources Committee for further review.

"I really appreciate that, Mr. Kinst, because we were faced with something similar before and I thought it was unfair that board members had to vote without information," board member Thuy Anh Le said, recalling the handling of a suspension for former HHS Social Studies teacher Jeffrey Kampf.

The committee will review the matter in the coming weeks, possibly with a special meeting in order to make a determination in time for the possible reassignment of coaches for the wrestling season.


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