By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
After the sudden resignations of three Okarche girls basketball coaches Monday over an anonymous email alleging mental abuse in the program, the town’s police department is now involved in finding out who sent the email.
Okarche’s school administration, school board, and Coach Haley Mitchel, received an anonymous email Sunday, Dec. 10 that alleged mental and psychological abuse, according to Okarche Superintendent Josh Sumrall.
Following the email, Coach Haley, and assistant coaches Kaylene Ullom and Sky Tilley resigned their coaching duties.
Haley remains an assistant principal at the high school. Ullom teaches at the elementary school and Tilley coaches softball and teaches at the high school.
Sumrall said he could not release the email due to an ongoing investigation by Okarche police.
On Wednesday, Okarche police released a statement about the case. The email had threatened the district with a “Kingfisher-type lawsuit,” referring to a football hazing civil case that was settled in the Kingfisher school district for $5 million, Sumrall reported.
Okarche police released the following statement:
“The Okarche Police Department would like to inform the community that we are moving forward with a thorough investigation into the threats made against an Okarche Coach.
Additionally, we would like to address the anonymous email received by the school administration, which accused an Okarche coach of malfeasance,” the statement from Chief Forrest Smith reads.
Several Okarche patrons and people from the community spoke to the school board Monday night prior to Haley’s tearful resignation.
Former Okarche Coach Larry Black will take over the duties for the game Friday, Dec. 15 against Watonga and possibly for the rest of the season, Sumrall said.
At the school board meeting Monday, Melissa Knecht, a 1978 Okarche High School graduate told the board, “I just think we have heard enough. I think Okarche standards are high enough. We are better.”
Knecht said she “has seen coaches in people’s faces,” and that “times have changed.”
Karen McIlvain, the wife of school board president Ryan McIlvain ,also spoke at the meeting.
“I am so disappointed with the way things played out this weekend. My heart hurts so much. This is not something I expected to come out of Okarche. I have so much respect and admiration for Coach Mitchel and Coach Ullom. They have poured so much of themselves into this basketball program. And they have done a fantastic job over the years. It’s a shame to think one parent can make accusations anonymously and threaten such upstanding individuals to the point that they feel it is necessary to resign. I can’t say that I blame them. It makes me really sad to think that young girls in our community are going to miss out on having the opportunity to experience basketball under the leadership of these incredible women. We can do better. We have to do better,” McIlvain said.
Becky Treece, the wife of assistant boys basketball Coach Brandon Treece, also spoke at the meeting Monday, Dec. 11.
“You guys have pride in what you do. You guys have pride in working hard and knowing from that hard work that you have success. What has happened? What has happened in the last few years?” Treece asked. “We have taken this opportunity for our kids to grow and learn now to work hard, instead they are no longer responsible for their actions. They are no longer responsible for their choices. They are no longer responsible for that hard work that time they have to put in. We are just going to hand it off to them on a platter because heaven forbid, they have to grow up and get out into the real world whenever they are adults.”
Meanwhile, the statement from Okarche police reads, “The safety and well-being of our community members, including our educators and coaches, is of utmost importance to us. We take any threat or accusation seriously and will ensure a comprehensive investigation is conducted to uncover the truth.”
“At this time, we would like to emphasize that no evidence has been brought forward to substantiate the claims made in the anonymous email. The investigation is ongoing, and we are actively working to gather all relevant information and interview individuals who may have knowledge pertaining to the threats and the accusations.”
“We understand that these allegations have caused concern among the community, and we want to assure everyone that we are committed to conducting a fair and unbiased investigation. We will provide updates as the investigation progresses, ensuring transparency and maintaining the trust of our community.
Sumrall released a statement about the police investigation that reads: “Okarche Public Schools is working with our local police department concerning a recent issue addressed in the shared statement by the Okarche Police Department. We are also focused on our student athletes, that were affected by this situation, and making sure they are taken care of.”
To contact Chief Smith call (405) 590-2836 or okarchechief@pldi.net.
