Andover School Committee Unlikely To Address Coach's Firing

ANDOVER, MA — Andover School Committee Chairman Joel Blumstein told the Eagle-Tribune he does "not anticipate" the firing of head hockey coach Chris Kuchar to be on the agenda of any upcoming meetings of the board. Blumstein told the newspaper the decision had been made by Andover High School Principal Philip Conrad and Athletic Director Bill Martin, and the decision was outside of the board's authority. Kuchar was told Monday he would not be asked back next year, despite leading the team to the state semifinals this season, prompting nearly 200 students to walk out of class on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a group of hockey players met with Conrad Wednesday morning to discuss the coach's firing. The players told the Eagle-Tribune Conrad would not elaborate on why Kuchar had been dismissed. "He means so much to us. We want to make sure he gets the respect he deserves," senior hockey player Nick Germano said.

On Monday, Patch reported that Kuchar would not be asked back to coach the hockey team next year. In January 2018, Kuchar and two other coaches were accused of withholding food and water from players. Kuchar and the other two coaches were cleared in an investigation by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, which determined the accusations were unfounded.

Andover Superintendent Sheldon Berman tried to have Kuchar removed in 2016. Berman asked the athletic director and high school principal to remove Kuchar because the way his son, Dale Haavind-Berman, who played for the team at the time, was treated.

For more on this story, see the Eagle-Tribune.