Parents press board to approve volunteer 'Coach G' as assistant to provide supervision and emotional support for varsity ice hockey

Several parents of Massapequa varsity ice hockey players urged the Board of Education on Tuesday to approve a volunteer known as "Coach G" as a district‑authorized assistant coach, saying the players need consistent supervision and emotional support after a recent traumatic incident.

Aaron Longo, speaking as a parent of a team member, said the varsity ice hockey program operates at a high impact level and currently has only one district‑approved coach. "Our greater concerns lie in the safety and the emotional well‑being of our players," Longo said, and he asked the district to consider formally approving Coach G, who volunteers extensively with the program and is well regarded by players.

Lauren O'Gorek, a district teacher and parent who said her son is a sophomore on the team, described an occasion when the squad was alone in the locker room after a traumatic event and a parent who is a district employee hesitated to enter because he was not sure of the rules about entering student spaces. "You had an entire team that experienced a very tragic and traumatizing event and they were alone," O'Gorek said. She called the lack of a second approved coach a liability and urged the board to approve the volunteer assistant.

Keith Morringer, another parent, spoke in support of approving Coach G, saying many parents had emailed the board and wanted to reinforce that request in person.

Superintendent William Brennan told the public he and central administrators had received the parents' emails and had taken immediate steps to ensure there was adequate supervision so the team would not be forced to forfeit games. He said district leaders have already initiated conversations about coaching positions and will continue to review approvals annually. "We heard you, we hear you, and we'll go from here," Brennan said, adding that the district would report back to parents as the review proceeds.

On the public record the board did not take an immediate vote to authorize Coach G; Brennan described the matter as under review and said new supervision had been arranged to meet immediate operational needs. Parents in the meeting asked for a clear, expedited path to formalize the assistant coach approval so volunteers who regularly mentor and provide emotional support to student athletes can serve in a district‑approved role.