Parents, officials react to coach reinstatement

The Canandaigua School Board re-instated Rich Romeo as head coach of the Canandaigua Academy Wrestling Team just last week. Now some parents are taking to the streets to protest the move.

Matt King is one of them. He says school officials did not listen to claims his two teenage sons suffered verbal and physical abuse under the coaching of Romeo.  He wants answers, and he’s holding officials responsible.

“I'm asking for the resignation of these three administrators,” King said.

Along with Romeo, King wants Athletic Director Jim Simmons and Superintendent Donald Raw out. But the superintendent says he’s met with King and heard his concerns. He says the accusations he has made have not been founded.

“Unfortunately, to corroborate some of that information, it was not possible,” Raw said. “Either people weren't willing to do it, or there wasn't evidence to support some of the allegations.”

And Raw is standing by the school board’s decision. He says re-instating the veteran coach is what's best for the students.

“He's had considerable experience as a wrestling coach, and has been involved with students here in many different capacities, as a teacher as well as a coach,” Raw said, “and he's had a fine record as a wrestling coach.”

Romeo has coached the wrestling team for the last 15 years.  Last January, he celebrated his 200th win.

King says, his team’s record on the wrestling mat may bode well with other parents, but not with him.

“It should have never gotten to the point that over a period of a year, on 9 separate occasions, that this gentleman – I can’t even call him a gentleman -- that this coach, physically grabbed them.”

Calls to Romeo were not returned.