Soccer Players Speak Out Against Coach Firing

By Trinity Thompson

Garinger soccer team players said today that they will quit the team because their coach was fired.  

Players received a letter from Dr. Gwaltney this morning during second block. The letter stated that “Coach Garrett will no longer be coaching for Garinger High School…Coach Eric Summerour, Garinger graduate and teacher, will take over as soccer coach immediately.”

Several of the players were called into the media center during second period. Dr. Gwaltney, Dr. Tornfelt,  Mr. Summerour, and the soccer players were all in there.  According to players at the meeting, team captain Heber Castro raised  his and said “I don’t want to play anymore.”

That’s when Coach Huggins asked who else wanted to quit and most of the soccer players raised their hands also, the players said.  

Dr. Gwaltney didn’t give them a reason as to why Coach Garret was fired.  As a rule, administration is not allowed to discuss personnel issues.

Senior Alfredo Flores, a varsity player, said, “I am really disappointed in the decision that Dr. Gwaltney made.  I really think it is unjust that she didn’t give us a reason behind it and just left it at that. But I do respect her for telling us and going up to us and meeting us, telling us what happened and the decision she made.”

At lunch, Dr. Tornfelt said, “I have realized that Dr. Gwaltney has made a decision, and that decision stands, and I recognize that there are aspects to the situation that are unfortunate. I do wish the soccer players would continue to play, and I know that they are making that choice not to stay.”

Alfredo said that he quit because “ Coach David Garrett has been there since I was a freshman, and he has truly made me grow not only as a player but as a person.”

“When you make decisions in life, you’ve got to own them and there’s going to be consequences to your decisions, regardless of who you are and what situation you’re in, ” Dr. Tornfelt said.

“I want our students to own their decisions and grow into mature young men. I love our soccer team. There are incredible guys on there and I just really want the best for them.”