LEWISTON —
A Lewiston-Porter soccer coach who admitted to falsely telling opponents a student on his team suffered from Tourette syndrome is expected to keep his job, but will be unable able to coach athletics in the district again, sources have told Greater Niagara Newspapers.
The decision requires no board action and can be considered an end to the investigation to into former varsity soccer coach Samuel Ricotta.
In August, players and opposing coaches said that Ricotta — in an effort to gain a competitive advantage — knowingly, on a “handful” of occasions, lied to referees and opponents regarding the medical condition of a player, which they said allowed him to play more aggressively, as well as use vulgar language, without being penalized. Players said Ricotta would boast and make light of fooling referees and opponents following games in practices.
GNN is withholding the players name and position.
The school board convened in executive session on two separate occasions, including a special board meeting, to discuss potential action in regards to Ricotta. A source said Thursday that Ricotta, a $48,338-a-year middle school science teacher, will retain his teaching position but has agreed that he is unable to coach at Lew-Port again.
When contacted previously by GNN, Ricotta admitted to making the false claims.
“It was my mistake,” Ricotta said last month. “I don’t know why we have to be down and dirty like this. I don’t know why this has to be a major issue right now. This is all a big misunderstanding. I just wish people would stay out of my private life.”
Ricotta resigned from his position prior to the details of the claim becoming public, a decision he said was personal and unrelated to the Tourette claim.
School Superintendent R. Christopher Roser said he cannot comment in regards to the action that was taken but said the district is satisfied with the investigation and appropriate disciplinary action has taken place.
Teacher’s Union President Kevin Jaruszewski would not comment specifically on the issue but did confirm he will “see (Ricotta) on the first day of school.”
Local News
‘Tourette coach’ expected to remain a Lew-Port teacher
Sam Ricotta will never coach in district again
- Local News
-
-
Long-range forecast favors ‘liquid’ over ‘icy’ precipitation
The climate trend that’s emerged this winter — brief spells of cold and minimal snow cover, broken up quickly by warmth and rain — apparently will hold into spring.
-
SLIDESHOW: Niagara Charter School
Niagara Charter School opened with an initial enrollment of 264 students in grades kindergarten through fourth. The school has added fifth and sixth grade students since then and this year has an enrollment of about 350 students. This year, staff members are preparing to prove to the State Education Department that it made the right choice in allowing them to open the doors back in 2006.
-
Village of Lewiston officials investigating parking as crowds loom on horizon
Parking in the Village of Lewiston is a major concern, especially when festival and concert season rolls around. Fixing it is a different matter all together, however.
Mayor Terry Collesano says the village board is investigating several small changes to parking which could provide better access once the people begin rolling in. -
CITY BEAT: Can you hear us now Congress?
Feeling down? Depressed? Upset because another football season has ended?
Confused because people actually watch things like “The Bachelor” or “The Voice?” -
Woman reportedly swept over Horseshoe Falls
Niagara Regional Police cruisers swarmed Table Rock just past 4 p.m. Sunday after getting reports of a woman going over the Horseshoe Falls.
-
Sheriff’s office closing in on Rocky’s successor
Friends of Deputy Craig Beiter of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office are planning a benefit on Feb. 26 to raise money to buy and train a new dog for the K-9 Unit.
Beiter’s German shepherd, Deputy Rocky, was killed while on duty in January, and the sheriff’s office is close to getting a replacement. -
Robber runs into wrong clerk in Wheatfield
Niagara County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a River Road convenience store Saturday night for an attempted robbery.
-
A big test for Niagara Charter School
The first official day of classes at the Niagara Charter School is a day Pastor Jesse Scott will never forget.
-
Time Warner, MSG fight could last through the end of the NBA, NHL regular seasons
As the glow fades from the Giants’ Super Bowl triumph, some New York sports fans are tuning in to basketball and hockey, with the Rangers in first place and the Knicks’ overnight sensation, Jeremy Lin, sparking “Lin-sanity.”
-
NIMAC gets boost from Legislature
The Legislature approved giving $40,000 on Tuesday to the Niagara Military Affairs Council (NIMAC) to assist its ongoing effort to keep the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station open and active in defense work.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
