Alb Journal
Probe of Off-Campus Incident Leads to Firing
An Albuquerque Public Schools investigation into alleged misconduct by La Cueva High School baseball coach Stan McKeever has ended in his termination as the Bears’ coach and as a teacher at the school.
McKeever was La Cueva’s coach for 11 seasons, posting a 260-43 record. The Bears won five Class 5A state championships, appeared in the finals seven times and were recognized as a national high school power.
APS concluded its investigation with a Disciplinary Committee hearing Wednesday afternoon. McKeever’s attorney, Mike Danoff, was informed of the committee’s results by telephone shortly thereafter.
The committee consists of eight members, seven of whom were present, and a majority vote was required to dismiss McKeever.
Danoff said neither he nor his client was in attendance.
The investigation stemmed from an alleged off-campus incident in June 2008 when the coach and at least two of his former players attended the Area Code Games tryout at Regis University in Denver.
The investigation apparently centered on allegations that McKeever hired exotic dancers who came to their hotel to entertain the players, both of whom have since graduated.
Danoff had no comment other than to say he had no intention of trying his client’s case through the media.
“All I’ll give you is ‘no comment’ at this time,” Danoff said.
APS spokeswoman Monica Armenta said McKeever can appeal his termination to superintendent Winston Brooks, something Danoff said would likely happen.
Armenta declined to address the allegations, saying it was a personnel matter. She confirmed, however, McKeever’s dismissal as both a coach and math teacher.
McKeever was placed on paid leave when the school district launched its formal investigation on Aug. 11.
Reports of his misconduct began circulating in July. Before long, radio talk shows and the Internet were abuzz with unsubstantiated claims that McKeever had hired one or more exotic dancers on the trip.
It is unclear when La Cueva High School principal Jo Ann Coffee was first made aware of the allegations and what action she took at that time. She has declined to be interviewed.
Meanwhile, any action regarding McKeever’s teaching license would be up to the state Public Education Department, which launched an inquiry as soon as APS announced McKeever was under investigation.
McKeever could face any number of disciplinary actions from the PED, ranging from revocation of his teaching license to a letter of reprimand in his personnel file.
The PED is not required to wait for a civil or criminal trial to take place before taking action on McKeever’s license status.
McKeever is one of the most successful baseball coaches in state history.
He coached Del Norte to the 1998 Class 4A title game before taking over at La Cueva the next season.
The Bears established state records for consecutive wins (70) and wins in a single season (29, twice). His 2004 team went undefeated and was crowned as the mythical national champion by at least one online publication.
Several of McKeever’s players have landed NCAA Division I scholarships or turned pro, including pitcher James Parr. Parr has had major league stints with the Atlanta Braves each of the past two seasons.
Five players off McKeever’s 2009 squad will play for the University of New Mexico next season: Tyler Black, Cody Voelker, Austin House, Mitchell Garver and Abe Tarin.
Original Post