Soccer Coach Suspension Sparks Community Outrage in Santa Fe
A Community in Shock
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, a recent decision by the Academy for Technology and the Classics has left the community in disbelief. A beloved soccer coach, Vilma Ontiveros, was placed on administrative leave, leaving the team and the parents reeling from the decision. The cause? A social media video that the school deemed inappropriate.
The Video in Question
The video, which went viral among the local community, depicts Ontiveros’ team engaging in a popular trend where players draw positions from a hat. According to Ontiveros, the intention behind these videos was to boost team morale and foster a positive atmosphere, not to offend. “I found a way to incorporate having fun going in with those endorphins and happy hormones and going into a game with that positivity,” she explained, emphasizing the harmless nature of the content.
Shockwaves Among the Team
The decision to suspend Coach Ontiveros has not only impacted the team’s playing strategy but has struck an emotional chord with the young athletes. Parents, too, have expressed their concern.
“We’re all receiving calls from our children around lunchtime, you know, crying, and that is very frustrating and concerning,” said Martha C’deBaca, one of the team members’ mothers. Her plea, along with those of other parents, is straightforward – they want Ontiveros back to finish the season.
An Unyielding Community
The decision has galvanized the community, with parents voicing overwhelming support for Ontiveros. “They got rid of our coach for no reason. We want her to finish out the season,” stated Darlene Roybal, another steadfast parental supporter. According to KOB.com, the school maintains that the suspension is due to “several instances of not adhering to coaching policies and expectations.”
The Road Ahead
As the team faces the remainder of the season without their coach, the community stands united in the hope of her return. Ontiveros’ situation serves as a poignant reminder of the potential implications of social media presence in modern society and the fine line between team spirit and compliance with institutional policies. Whether the school will heed the outcry remains to be seen, but for many, the fight has only just begun.
