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Three Carmel coaches removed by school board, head coach resigns

Three of Carmel's basketball coaches are no longer with the team or the district. Those three coaches were on the bus back from Terre Haute on January 22nd, when an incident of extreme hazing reportedly occurred. Head coach, Mark Galloway, has resigned as well.

Julie Loncich

Fox59

5:07 PM EDT, May 18, 2010

Carmel, Ind.

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UPDATE: The three coaches who were on that bus when a student claims he was assaulted are no longer with the team.

Freshman coach Justin Blanding, Coach Brandon Lafferman and volunteer freshman coach Michael Bennett resigned their positions.

The superintendent of the Carmel Clay School District said a substantial change in leadership was needed for the program because the team didn't live up to the district's high standards. The program's head coach, Mark Galloway, also resigned.

He has interviewed for the head coaching position at Lafayette Jefferson High School. The head of the athletic department there said he hasn't made a decision on who will head up that program.

PREVIOUS STORY:

During a meeting Monday night, The Carmel Clay School Board announced three basketball coaches are no longer with the team after four players were charged in incidents of extreme hazing. Head coach, Mark Galloway, has resigned as well.

At the school board meeting, Carmel High School Principal John Williams presented a more specific timeline of events.

School officials first were made aware of the situation on February 16th from a student and a parent not involved in the situation. That freshman heard a rumor over President's Day Weekend and he told his mother. That mother called the school's nurse's office. On that first day that school officials and administrators were made aware, interviews were conducted with some of the potential victims, witnesses and accused students.

Three of the four accused students admitted responsibility on February 16th and were suspended. The fourth accused student admitted responsibility the following week. All four students were suspended and have not returned to school since then.

They will not attend this year's graduation ceremonies.

Both Principal Williams and Carmel Clay Superintendent Dr. Swensson said they were saddened and embarrassed about what happened, but said they were proud of the school's response.

"I'm not here to give excuses or to diminish the seriousness of what occurred on our bus and also in our team locker room. What happened is unacceptable and when parents send their kids to us they expect them to be safe, either at an athletic event of in a classroom," said Carmel High School Principal John Williams.

"We don't believe, I don't believe, that they boys' basketball team has achieved high standards that we have established for all of our athletic programs. Accordingly, a substantial change in leadership was necessary and carried out," said Superintendent Dr. Jeff Swensson.

Principal Williams expressed frustration over the fact that it took 3 1/2 weeks for someone to come forward and inform school officials, and that that someone wasn't even directly involved. Williams said the culture of silence needs to end, and said change starts with parents.