ARIZONA NEWS

Phoenix HS coach allegedly shared information with opponents

Sep 17, 2019, 1:22 PM | Updated: 9:56 pm

(Facebook Photo/Mountain Pointe High School)...

(Facebook Photo/Mountain Pointe High School)

(Facebook Photo/Mountain Pointe High School)

PHOENIX – Authorities at a Phoenix high school said they were “shocked” to recently learn that a coach allegedly had been sharing inside information about the football and boys basketball teams with opponents for years.

Justin Hager had been the varsity girls basketball coach and an assistant coach for the football team at Mountain Pointe High School, which is located in Phoenix’s Ahwatukee area and is part of the Tempe Union High School District.

According to Wednesday’s agenda for the district’s Governing Board meeting, Hager resigned effective Sept. 13 in lieu of dismissal.

The district said Monday in a press release it has evidence that the coach had been sharing “protected information about formations, game plans, signals and player eligibility with opposing coaches” since 2017.

That information gave opponents a competitive edge, according to the release.

David Hinojosa, a Mountain Pointe parent and booster for the school’s sports teams, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Bruce St. James and Pamela Hughes on Tuesday that parents met Monday night to discuss the situation.

“There was a lot of frustration, anger, bitterness, but at the same time they are encouraged because of the administration and how they are handling it,” Hinojosa said.

He said some of the parents are considering taking legal action against Hager for putting the school’s players at a disadvantage.

They also are upset that no opposing coaches reported that the information was being shared until the football team faced a Las Vegas high school, Faith Lutheran, last month, Hinojosa said.

“I am at a loss as to why someone would hurt kids in this way,” Rich Wellbrock, the school’s head football coach, said in the release.

“The entire coaching staff at Mountain Pointe is deeply troubled that a trusted adult in our program would actively work against the success of our students.”

Mountain Pointe Principal Tomika Banks was equally dismayed.

“Our entire campus is shocked at these findings. It is the responsibility of all adults on a high school campus to act with integrity and to put students first in all we do,” Banks said in the release.

“Mountain Pointe students, families and staff are heartbroken to learn our trust was violated by someone we cared for and considered a member of our family.”

District Superintendent Dr. Kevin Mendivil said the incident has been reported to the Arizona Interscholastic Association and the school will cooperate with any investigation.

“Furthermore, the actions of one person is not representative of this school or our district, and we believe this should serve as a call to action for every adult in a leadership role with students to recommit to acting with integrity, whether in the classroom or on the field of competition,” Mendivil said in the release.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Pexels Photo)...

KTAR.com

Man who fell into tracks dead after being struck by train in Phoenix

A man was pronounced dead after being struck by a train following a fall on to the tracks in Phoenix on Sunday evening.

5 hours ago

(Photo by Olivier Touron/AFP via Getty Images)...

Associated Press

Judge affirms Arizona can no longer exclude gender-affirming care from state health plans

A federal judge has approved a final settlement eliminating a ban on providing gender-affirming care under Arizona state employee health insurance.

8 hours ago

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone...

Brandon Gray

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announces he will not pursue 3rd term

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced Monday he is not pursuing a third term and will be departing the office in January 2024.

10 hours ago

(Facebook Photo/Arizona Lottery)...

KTAR.com

Fantasy 5 jackpot ticket sold in Phoenix as Powerball prize exceeds $1B

It didn't take long for another Fantasy 5 jackpot to hit in Phoenix and lottery players could hit it big with the Powerball drawing on Monday night.

10 hours ago

Joe Perry, left, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith perform Sept. 2, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...

Kevin Stone

Aerosmith postpones Phoenix concert because of Steven Tyler’s vocal cord injury

First the Boss, now Steven Tyler. Add Aerosmith to the list of classic rockers forced to postpone their Phoenix concerts because of health issues.

11 hours ago

gavel hitting wood...

KTAR.com

Scottsdale man sentenced to prison for not paying employee taxes

A Scottsdale man was sentenced last week to over a year in prison for failing to pay the Internal Revenue Service federal income taxes that were withheld from employees.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Ability360

At Ability360, every day is Independence Day

With 100 different programs and services, more than 1,500 non-medically based home care staff, a world-renowned Sports & Fitness Center and over 15,000 people with disabilities served annually, across all ages and demographics, Ability360 is a nationwide leader in the disability community.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Here are the biggest tips to keep your AC bill low this summer

PHOENIX — In Arizona during the summer, having a working air conditioning unit is not just a pleasure, but a necessity. No one wants to walk from their sweltering car just to continue to be hot in their home. As the triple digits hit around the Valley and are here to stay, your AC bill […]

...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

5 mental health myths you didn’t know were made up

Helping individuals understand mental health diagnoses like obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder or generalized anxiety disorder isn’t always an easy undertaking. After all, our society tends to spread misconceptions about mental health like wildfire. This is why being mindful about how we talk about mental health is so important. We can either perpetuate misinformation about already […]

Phoenix HS coach allegedly shared information with opponents