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Gig Harbor girls' basketball coaches reprimanded after investigation into drinking on trip

The coaches' contracts expired with the district on Feb. 7, and it is not clear if they will seek reemployment, according to their attorney.

GIG HARBOR, Wash. — Three former coaches of the Gig Harbor High School girls' basketball team who were placed on leave after allegations they drank on a team trip were reprimanded by the Peninsula School District this week.

The district told KING 5 that an investigator found the coaches had violated employee policy 5200, a "no-tolerance policy." An attorney for the coaches told KING 5 that the contracts for the coaches expired on Feb. 7 and "it is unclear at this time whether they will seek reemployment." The attorney told KING 5 the coaches received "letters of reprimand" and the district did not elaborate further on the punishment for the coaches.

Policy 5200 in the Peninsula School District is titled "Drug-Free Schools, Community and Workplace." It defines the workplace as a "school-approved activity, event, or function, such as a field trip or athletic event," and prohibits "reporting to work or the workplace under the influence of alcohol." It also prohibits using, possessing or transmitting alcohol "in any amount, in any manner, and at any time in the workplace."

The three coaches were placed on leave in late January following an anonymous letter from a parent. The parent detailed instances when the coaches were allegedly seen consuming alcohol, and other instances where they allegedly drank before driving the team to different places during a trip to Palm Beach, Fla., over winter break.

The coaches implied in district interviews and emails that the allegations may have come in retaliation for a dispute with a parent over playing time.

A girl on the team said she and other athletes saw two of the coaches "carrying and consuming alcohol throughout the hotel" on numerous occasions, according to the letter. One coach was accused of drinking a beer in the hot tub while athletes were using the pool. While the team was on a trip to the beach, the coaches went to a nearby restaurant to celebrate one of their birthdays. An athlete saw the coaches in the bar. After that, the letter alleges the coaching staff drove the girls back to their hotel. 

"Coaches drinking alcohol or even being present around alcohol consumption (outside of the team/parent dinner where parents drank), is disturbing and frankly infuriating," the parent wrote. "The thought of a chaperone who is DRIVING the kids to and from activities, drinking alcohol is beyond upsetting." 

Documents obtained by KING 5 include letters to the three coaches notifying them that they are being placed on administrative leave, with an attached copy of the district's drug-free schools, community and workplace policy.

In interviews with the coaches, they were directly asked if they consumed alcohol on the trip. One confirmed that he did, but said he only drank inside his hotel room, and after he was done driving. He conceded that athletes may have seen him drinking while he was socializing with team parents at the hotel in the evenings, but he believed most of them were up in their rooms. 

Another coach confirmed that she had consumed alcohol on the trip, but that she didn't believe she could be considered "on duty" at that time. The third coach confirmed that he had also had alcoholic drinks on the trip, but that "At no time was I ever intoxicated." All coaches denied that they ever drank before driving any of the players. 

Documents included in the investigation also made references to a disagreement between the coaches and one parent on the team who wanted her daughter to get more playing time. One coach said he believed they were being "targeted" and that the disagreement with this particular parent had been going on for years. 

Other letters were sent to the district regarding the investigation, including one from the parents of another athlete on the team, who said they were concerned and disappointed in how the investigation into the allegations unfolded. 

"In our opinion, this whole ordeal has resulted as an embarrassment for the district, tarnished the reputation of three great people who have been dedicated stewards in the community, and caused lasting trauma to a wonderful group of girls who did not deserve any of this," the letter reads. 

The parents who wrote the letter said they themselves were on the trip in question and never felt that their daughter was in danger or harm's way. The parents corroborated the coaches' concerns that the initial complaint was lodged over the play-time dispute with a particular parent. 

"What has happened now has dismantled this team, disrupted lives of good people for selfish reasons and puts a continued dark cloud over this program and this district," the letter reads. 

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