Group rallies for fired coach, wants answers

Some 30 people, including current and former Ferris players and their parents, braved the rain at Ben Burr Park Thursday night for a rally in support of ousted Saxons boys basketball coach Don Van Lierop.

No reasons were given when Spokane School District 81 announced its decision by a letter to not renew his coaching contract after three years at the helm.

But the decision precipitated parents and Ferris coaches to take action, including the gathering at Ben Burr Park where the people expressed concern over the lack of explanation for the district decision.

Earlier Thursday, a letter composed and signed by the Saxons coaches, concerned about the precedent this decision could set district-wide, was taken to the district office.

“Basically it was over due process,” said Barry Olson, a basketball assistant.

Football and boys golf coach Clarence Hough added that the potential to be fired is part of the coaching business. But, he added, apparently there was no forum offered to Van Lierop to address concerns or defend himself, simply a letter telling him he would no longer be the coach.

“We know our contracts are one-year renewable, but there is a certain language that needs to be followed,” Hough said. “There are steps the district needs to do and didn’t do any of them.”

Today, several of the parents at the rally, concerned with a lack of explanation for Van Lierop’s coaching non-renewal, will meet with Emmett Arndt, District 81’s executive director, teaching and learning, seeking answers to questions and speculation.

“There’s a lot we don’t know and what we aim to find out,” said Ray Hart at the rally.

The meeting at Ben Burr Park, he added, was merely to show support for Van Lierop and people were asked to avoid speculation.

Everyone in attendance, including 15 years’ worth of Ferris players and parents, had positive things to say about the coach. They called him caring and fair. Three current team members expressed surprise by the decision.

“If you want to judge him as a coach and person, see the last three years of the alumni tournament,” said 1992 graduate Rob Servine. “People fly back from New York, Cincinnati and Florida. They’re from the 1960s right up to last year. Everyone comes because they played for him, worked for him, or he’s taken the next step to know them because of the legacy of the program.”

Even visiting Montana Tech coach Mike Bauer spoke on his behalf.

“I was here for another reason and just found out this was going on, which prompted me to be here,” he said. “Like you guys said, it needs answers.”