The Pine-Richland School District has revealed the recent termination of former state champion head football coach last week came after a three-month-long investigation, longer than the "recent weeks" initially reported.

Officials confirmed the investigation into allegations of misconduct within the Pine-Richland High School football program lasted three months before former coach Eric Kasperowicz and his entire staff were fired last Wednesday (April 14), WPXI reports.

The district issued a statement in support of the decision to fire the Pine-Richland staff based on “inappropriate student conduct and a broader allegation of misconduct within the football program, including, but not limited to hazing, bullying, intimidation and ‘rites of passage.’”

“Any statement indicating that no reason was given for the district’s action s is categorically false,” the statement reads. “The district is aware of, and acknowledges, the successful winning record of the program and its importance to many student-athletes. We are saddened by what we see happening in the community as a result of perpetuated misinformation. We understand that community’s desire for full transparency and have made a consistent effort to balance that against the legal duty that the district has to preserve the confidentiality of personal information. The district will continue to move forward with decisions and actions that align to the mission, vision and values. The district will continue to release additional specific communications regarding this matter.”

On Friday (April 16), WPXI's Jillian Hartmann reported several parents attended a virtual school board meeting held to protest Kasperowicz's termination.

"#HAPPENINGNOW Several parents are begging Pine-Richland school board members to bring back the football coaches during today’s special virtual meeting. Many have shared their frustration and disappointment in the decision of firing the coaching staff," Hartmann tweeted.

Tyler Soto

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