BELGRADE — Earlier this week MTN Sports confirmed that Belgrade softball coach Mike Neubauer may not be returning to the team this season.
This comes after allegations of mistreatment among his athletes brought to the athletic department by a group of parents. MTN Sports reached out to these parents, but did not get a response.
The Belgrade community gathered at Monday’s school board meeting to give their own testimonies on the matter.
“(Neubauer) doesn’t only teach us about softball; he teaches about what we’re going to do in our life and how we’re going to approach what’s going to happen next,” senior player Olivia Cook said. “He not only teaches us about the game, he teaches us about our future endeavors and what we’re going to take on with our life.”
Players, parents, former employees, and teammates all spoke up during the open forum portion of the meeting. However, when members of the public became too specific with their comments, they were discouraged from continuing.
“(Neubauer) wants them to be the best they can be,” said Lucretia Galahan, whose daughter is on the Belgrade team. “He has taught them so much, he has taught my daughter so much. He’s an amazing person, coach, father and member of the community.”
The reason the board encouraged vague comments is because the appeal is still under review for Neubauer’s contract.
