Parent tells Sylvania Schools board of multiple injuries, unsafe practices in Southview cheer program
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Summary
At the board's public participation period, parent Tara Berber described multiple injuries and safety concerns involving the Southview High cheer program and said school staff held an athletic-trainer meeting; board members said they would pass her information to district administrators for follow-up.
Tara Berber told the Sylvania Schools Board of Education during public participation that she was speaking on behalf of Southview High cheerleaders and parents and described multiple injuries and what she characterized as unsafe coaching practices.
Berber said the team experienced "multiple injuries over the season: 2 concussions, broken bones," and alleged the coach continued to push students to perform stunts after athletes said they were not ready or felt unsafe. She described public humiliation of girls by the coach and recounted an incident in which a student who told the coach her wrist hurt was made to continue practicing. Berber said the same student later tore several ligaments in her foot and missed almost the entire season.
"While the girls are telling her they don't feel ready or safe to do something, she will say, 'I don't care,'" Berber said during her remarks. She also told the board the coach discouraged eating around game time and made comments to students about weight.
Berber said she had convened a meeting that included the coach and the athletic trainer after the injuries to ensure everyone was "on the same page." When a board member asked whether she had discussed the concerns with Southview's athletic director, Berber said she had and that the athletic director had said he did not want "to deal with drama this year."
Board members responded that they would pass Berber's contact information to district administrators for follow-up. Assistant Superintendent Tim Ziroff was identified during the exchange; a board member said they would "pass your information on to him so that he can get in touch with you." Ziroff acknowledged he would follow up.
The statements in this article are drawn from public comments made to the board at its meeting and from the board's immediate responses; the board did not vote or take formal disciplinary action during the meeting on this matter.
The board's acknowledgement that staff would follow up does not in itself indicate any particular outcome; Berber said she had already met with Southview staff and the athletic trainer and asked the district to investigate further.
