Fact or Fiction: Controversy Surrounds PHS Volleyball

by Allie Serres

There has been a lot of talk, and a lot of controversy over Coach Yvette Updike getting fired after eight years of being the Platteville High School Volleyball coach. There are two very distinct, opinionated sides, as there are to every story. One side says Coach Updike was a great coach, and it was not fair for her to be fired. The other side claims she was too harsh and too mean.
But to some, the issue runs deeper than Coach Updike’s conduct or success in this season. Mr. Jeff Henderson, former assistant coach and Spanish teacher, says “Parents become too involved in sports.” 
However, superintendent Dr. Connie Valenza says, “It was very important to me to actually talk to and hear from students both present and former. The students that I heard from represented different views about what actions I needed to take. I did that so that I could try to understand what was best for our future students in the program.” She and the school board spent time reviewing the facts and hearing discussion from individuals involved. Dr. Valenza adds, “Parent complaints did not change my opinion. I am confident that any decisions I made related to volleyball are in the best interest of future Hillmen players.”
Many hurtful, unnecessary things have been said, coming from both sides. In the end, Platteville High School will be looking for a new volleyball coach for next fall and moving forward, putting all rumors to rest.