Chief: No allegations of improper behavior in Pine-Richland football probe reported to police

Despite a long-standing practice of conferring with police when allegations are made about improper behavior by students, none of the incidents that led to last week’s firing of championship-winning Pine-Richland football coach Eric Kasperowicz were reported to authorities, according to the chief of the Northern Regional Police Department.

Pine-Richland school officials sent a letter to parents on Wednesday to dispel what they believe are “misconceptions” that the district failed to meet reporting requirements to law enforcement during its investigation into allegations of improper behavior in the football program.

The letter, which also is posted on the district website, outlines the district’s relationship with the Northern Regional Police Department through a memorandum of understanding that “is frequently reviewed and updated to keep current with changes in laws and to reflect the concerns of the public both organizations serve,” according to Chief John Sicilia, who was asked by the district to help write the letter.

“Not all scenarios can be accounted for (in the document) and for this reason, we rely heavily on the common sense approach as to when the Northern Regional Police Department would need to be notified to intervene, if not specifically spelled out,” Sicilia wrote. “To date, the current Pine-Richland administration, specifically (superintendent) Dr. Brian Miller has been proactive in collaborating with the police department and working together to decide how an investigation should be handled.”

When the district investigates allegations of improper behavior, the typical practice is to meet with his department’s school resource officer to determine whether a crime has been committed, Sicilia said.

But the district did not follow that procedure when it launched its probe into the football program.

“I can’t confirm or deny whether any of the incidents they (the district) looked into happened because we had zero involvement,” the chief said. “If anything crossed the line into criminal behavior they (the district) should have contacted us. But that never happened.”

District officials on Tuesday said they conducted a three-month investigation into “specific allegations of inappropriate student conduct” along with “a broader allegation of misconduct within the football program.”

Dozens of students, coaches and parents were interviewed about alleged incidents of hazing, bullying, intimidation and “rites of passage,” school board President Peter Lyons said during a news conference.

In Wednesday’s letter to parents, district officials wrote that “the Pine-Richland School District is fully compliant with all required notifications, including to state and local authorities like the Northern Regional Police Department. The Pine-Richland School District satisfied all reporting obligations.”

School officials have repeatedly said they won’t comment on personnel matters beyond the statements that have been released, which do not address the question of why the district decided against contacting police when it investigated the football program.

Lyons said the decision not to renew Kasperowicz’s contract for the 2021-22 season was based on findings from the investigation, documented football program-related events over multiple years and an in-depth interview that was conducted with the coach.

The district has not released details of the investigation or the nature of the incidents it said occurred. No former or current players have come forward publicly to say they were the target of, or witnessed, improper behavior.

Kasperowicz has denied accusations that improper activity occurred under his watch.

The board president said Kasperowicz was notified about the reasons for his dismissal and given the opportunity to respond. Lyons did not say whether the coach responded.

Kasperowicz declined to comment when contacted following the April 20 news conference.

Since his dismissal, he has received significant support from the community, players and colleagues.

A number of current or former players who were interviewed by district officials said they never witnessed improper behavior in the football program under Kasperowicz, who has reapplied for the coaching position.

Don Holl, the athletic director/football coach at Gateway sent an email to fellow members of the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association urging them not to apply for the open Pine-Richland coaching spot.

A change.org petition calling for the reinstatement of the entire football coaching staff garnered more than 8,500 signatures as of noon Wednesday.

Several rallies also have been held in support of the coach’s reinstatement.

Kasperowicz went 85-18 in eight seasons as the team’s coach with four WPIAL championships and two state titles. The Rams won both WPIAL and PIAA titles last fall.