A volleyball coach at Park City High School has been placed on leave as the school investigates an accusation that he made inappropriate comments to student athletes about sexual assault.
A parent of a student at the school said their child was with a group of female athletes and students during a discussion about accountability. During this discussion, the child told the parent, the coach said that “if you are sexually assaulted, it’s your fault.”
The Salt Lake Tribune is not naming the parent or student, as the student and others involved are minors. The Tribune has confirmed the student attends Park City High.
A Park City High School teacher, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation, independently confirmed the coach’s comments.
Emails obtained by The Tribune confirm Park City High School placed the coach on leave and is conducting an investigation. A Park City School District spokesperson confirmed Friday that those emails were sent to parents and guardians.
Several parents confirmed to The Tribune that they received the emails. Public radio station KPCW also confirmed that several parents received the emails.
Park City police are also involved but will not be “releasing any information as it involves juveniles,” a police spokesperson said. The Tribune has requested the initial contact report and is awaiting those records.
The coach did not respond to multiple requests for comment this week. Because no charges have been filed and the matter is under investigation, The Tribune is not naming the coach.
In response to The Tribune’s inquiry about the investigation and allegations, the district spokesperson said Friday, “We want to assure you that all processes are being followed and taken seriously. As a district, however, we do not comment on personnel matters.”
Park City High School Principal Roger Arbabi and Athletic Director Jamie Sheetz sent a joint email to parents and students Monday, the district spokesperson confirmed.
“The investigation into [the coach’s] comments is ongoing, and his leave will continue at this time,” the email states, adding that a former coach “will be assuming the interim head coach position for the duration of the investigation and unfortunately we do not know how long this will be.”
Students were interviewed by school administrators, the parent who spoke to The Tribune said. The parent said officials did not notify them about the conversations.
“I’m pretty upset,” the parent said, “because I thought they should have called parents.”