One student said she was “bullied and harassed” throughout the season because of a facial imperfection and because of her tan skin color. Another student said after she made a mistake on the court and dejectedly walked back to the bench, the coach remarked to the other players, “Isn’t that a face you’d like to slap?”
Yet another student said the coach threatened her and her mother at their home after bringing up concerns over his behavior.
Rick McPherson, parent of a three-year player, said the coach has padded statistics for favored players and hazardously pushed injured players to continue exercising.
“I can no longer turn a blind eye anymore,” McPherson told school board members. “This guy’s out of control.”
Complaints surfaced with two anonymous letters to district officials in September and October, followed by three formal complaints filed by parents, according to school records. After interviewing six players and their parents, Lebanon High School Principal Samuel Ison and Athletic Director Joe Roberts concluded that the allegations against the coach are “unsubstantiated.”
The district subsequently hired an attorney, at a total estimated cost of $5,239, to conduct a separate “third-party” investigation, which also dismissed the allegations.
In a Nov. 10 letter informing two parents of the findings, Superintendent Mark North states Mersch will not be disciplined and that he will recommend renewing the coach’s contract next year. North further recommends that the team “participate in aggressive behavior/bullying awareness training so as to prevent potential future occurrences.”
Despite the two concluded investigations and hearing the complaints during a public meeting, school board President Donna Davis-Norris advised the players and their parents that, if they want the school board to address the allegations, they must now submit such a request in writing.
Mersch worked in the Walnut Hills school district from 1988 until he was hired in Lebanon in 2006; he is licensed in physical and health education, according to his personnel file. He had several successful seasons as a volleyball coach at Walnut Hills, achieving 10 league championships and receiving eight coach of the year awards.
Mersch deferred to comment to North, but said the team had a great year (20-5 record) and has won four consecutive league championships.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or rwilson@coxohio.com.
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