UPDATE: JV field hockey coach Marotti released from team amid controversy

Varsity field hockey players practice in the stadium on Monday, Aug. 31. Photo by Abby McIntyre.
Varsity field hockey players practice in the stadium on Monday, Aug. 31. (Photo: A. McIntyre)

By Kellen Browning,
Bluedevilhub.com Editor-in-Chief–

UPDATE: Former JV field hockey coach Frank Marotti provided the following statement in an email to The HUB:

“At the meeting I had with [Athletic Director Jeff Lorenson] last week he said “we accept your resignation.” I did not resign. In a paper given to players Monday it indicated I was let go. News to me. I was never told I was let go and I never resigned.”

The original story is below.

Field hockey players were told Monday afternoon by Athletic Director Jeff Lorenson that JV coach Frank Marotti is no longer a part of the program.

Lorenson declined to be interviewed by The HUB, noting that “personnel is a confidential topic.” However, in a letter handed out at practice addressed to parents of field hockey players, he provided more details, writing:

The letter Athletic Director Jeff Lorenson provided field hockey players at practice on Monday, Aug. 31. Courtesy photo by Denna Changizi.
The letter Athletic Director Jeff Lorenson provided field hockey players at practice on Monday, Aug. 31. Courtesy photo by Denna Changizi.

“While I cannot share with you the specifics of personnel actions, let me assure you that DSHS holds our coaches and all our employees to a high standard of professionalism. If a coach is unable to maintain this level of professional conduct when dealing with athletes, parents, supervisors, colleagues and members of the public, it is incumbent upon the school administration to take action to remedy the situation. If remedy proves not possible, a coach may be released.”

Marotti also declined to comment, but in an email confirmed that the decision was “not mutual.”

Varsity coach Sandie Marotti-Huckins, the daughter of released JV coach Marotti, said, “I was not informed of the dismissal by the administration until after the dismissal happened and the circumstances seem convoluted to me as there was no forewarning or prior conversations concerning any actions that were inappropriate.”

Some field hockey members wrote a statement, which was provided to The HUB by varsity player and junior Denna Changizi, who is also a HUB staff member:

“Coach Frank Marotti was unfortunately fired. We don’t know why but he was a vital part of our system and a huge part of the team. We are very disappointed that the AD made this harsh decision without consulting any team members about it, especially because this all happened right before our big start of the season jamboree tournament. His loss is a big set back [sic] for us and we hope he can come back before the season is over to help us reach our goals.”

According to the letter provided to the field hockey players, varsity coach Marotti-Huckins will serve as the interim JV coach while continuing to coach varsity this season.

This story will be updated as new information becomes available, so follow BlueDevilHUB.com, The HUB’s Facebook page and @dhshub on Twitter for updates.

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