REINSTATE COACH BILL SWERTFAGER
Coach Bill Swertfager has dedicated his entire adult life to coaching kids in the Chappaqua and Katonah Lewisboro school districts and beyond. He is a beloved coach who focuses on the development of young men and women. His calling has been to teach many of life’s lessons through his wrestling program.
For 40 years, Coach Bill has positively impacted the lives of thousands of student-athletes. His primary goal every year is to run the best wrestling program in the Country. He is not measured by wins and losses or even Championship titles, of which he has a bunch. His true legacy can only be measured by the kids he positively influences and develops in his program each year; kids with character, kids that have a great work ethic, kids that know about sacrifice, kids that can get up on their feet after brutal defeats, kids that know the meaning of dedication, perseverance, and commitment.
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His focus is to produce the best, most well-adjusted young adults as possible, ones that will be well prepared for life's challenges ahead. These lessons are learned in his room, under his direct leadership. He uses sport as a tool to teach and practice all these enduring qualities that can last a lifetime.
He sends his graduating seniors out into the world with the tools they need to be highly successful in anything they choose to do. He always says “I’ll match our kids up against any other in the country!"
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How did we arrive here? Over a year ago, while coaching a JV softball game, Coach Bill gave a customary high-five and pat on the backside to a player who had done a great job laying down a bunt and advancing a runner. He was reported, not by the athlete, but by a spectator who was uncomfortable with what they had seen. He was removed from coaching that team without being given a warning, despite the fact that he has never had any incidents or blemishes on his record in all his years of coaching.
Now, Coach Bill is being left off the slate as the Head Coach of his wrestling program. And this is HIS program...he resurrected it and started it up 23 years ago after a 15-year absence of a wrestling team at the high school. He is someone everyone looks up to and respects. He has done so much for so many. He and his family are community treasures.
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We are asking the Superintendent and the Board of Education to seriously reconsider all the facts, his impeccable track record, and most importantly, to remember the tremendous impact he has had on our kids. We collectively dread the thought of what will become of our community without Coach Bill doing what he loves to do.
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