Dimond High School football may return to the field and resume the 2018 football season, with the football suspension lifted by the Anchorage School District on Friday.
ASD Superintendent Deena Bishop lifted the team’s suspension following the district’s investigation into “serious inappropriate behavior” during a team trip to Fairbanks. The school district and APD investigation into the reported misconduct continues.
Dimond High football head coach Bernardo Otero, and two assistant coaches had been “released from their duties.” Catherine Esary, a district spokeswoman, said the district would not be naming the two assistant coaches.
ASD stated that students have been disciplined in the wake of allegations of “serious inappropriate behavior”. Students names will not be released. (see district response on link provided below)
Derek Brewer, a psychology teacher at Dimond who coached the Dimond football team from 2004-2007 has been named head coach for Dimond football.
Anchorage School District release( Aug. 31, 2018)
ANCHORAGE, AK – The Anchorage School District investigation following reports of misconduct during a Dimond High School football team trip to Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, Alaska, August 16-17 revealed that inappropriate conduct occurred.
Based on the ongoing investigation, ASD took the following immediate actions:
*Students known to have been involved in misconduct received discipline in accordance with ASD policy.
*Three coaches, including the head coach, have been released from their positions.
*Dimond High football program resumed with scheduled practices in line with ASAA regulations and games at East High School (“C” team on Wed., Sept. 5; JV and Varsity on Sat., Sept. 8). Additional oversight supervision will report to every practice and game for the remainder of the season.
Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop said, “Student safety is always ASD’s top priority, and conducting a comprehensive investigation requires patience from students, families, and staff. Though the investigation is continuing, I am pleased to see DHS football players get back on the field today, and continue with the regular season next week.”
The Anchorage Police Department Investigation is ongoing.
Players will have an hour-long conditioning workout on Friday, August 31, to maintain the ASAA practice eligibility. Following practice, Mr. Louis Wilson from Grand Canyon University will meet with parents and players to discuss the importance of coming together as a team and helping each other during adverse situations.
ASD has scheduled mandatory training on Title IX, Sexual Harassment and Hazing for all DHS coaches, Principal Tina Johnson-Harris, and Activity Assistant Principal, James Hancock.
Dimond High School coaching staff will also participate in a two-day customized program, Coaching Greatness, September 6-7. These sessions are designed to foster behaviors that maximize high performance of teams, both on and off the field, and to create a healthy climate and culture. DHS students will be included in a portion of the training.
Dimond Football Incident Information
The Anchorage School District has established an informational link for the dissemination of information on the incident and ASD actions. The link provides current releases, fact sheet, past releases and district policy.
