Linn-Mar Football

Parents complain to L-M school board

The Linn-Mar parents who are unhappy with the school's football program took their complaints to the Linn-Mar school board Monday evening during an emotional session at the LRC Boardroom in Marion.

The parents have accused Linn-Mar football coaches with physical, verbal, mental and emotional abuse by taunting, harassing and injuring their sons during formal school activities. Most of the complaints have been filed against assistant coach Matt Casebolt and head coach Bob Forsyth.

The parents originally filed their complaints with the Linn-Mar school district, but all of their complaints have been dismissed by the district due to "insufficient evidence" following an in-house investigation.

The families are in the process of filing a formal complaint with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. And although they have previously complained to school board president Tim Isenberg about the alleged abuses, they wanted to speak before the full school board and air their complaints publicly Monday.

The board meeting drew a large crowd, with dozens of people - including a contingent of Linn-Mar football players - standing in the back of the room in support of the football coaches and program. Many of those players made public comments during the meeting, but the most dramatic moments came when several of the unhappy parents used their allotted three minutes to address the board.

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Supporters defend Linn-Mar football program

Members of the Linn-Mar football community have rallied in defense of the program.

The Metro Sports Report posted a story Thursday night regarding allegations that have been made by unhappy Linn-Mar families against the football program and against members of the coaching staff, specifically assistant coach Matt Casebolt and head coach Bob Forsyth.

The article brought forth a considerable amount of comment in the community, including responses from former players who say they had a favorable experience with the football team.

The unhappy families claim their sons have suffered verbal, mental, emotional and physical abuse while participating in the football program and weight training program at Linn-Mar High School. Five families filed complaints with the school district, but at least 20 families share common grievances and have banded together as a group in an effort to remedy their concerns.

The Linn-Mar school district has dismissed the formal complaints filed by families following an in-house investigation, but those families are in the process of filing a formal complaint with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners about Casebolt, Forsyth and Linn-Mar administrators.

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Linn-Mar families filing complaints with BOEE

A group of Linn-Mar families has decided to take their complaints about the school's football and weight-training program to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners after having their grievances dismissed by the school district following an in-house investigation.

The families have charged Linn-Mar assistant football coach Matt Casebolt with a series of verbal, mental, emotional and physical abuses and they have charged head coach Bob Forsyth as the person in charge of the football program where the alleged incidents took place.

"The main culprit in our minds is Mr. Casebolt," said Mark Henrichs, the spokesman for the Linn-Mar families. "In my opinion, all of the (varsity) football coaches have to go. They've all seen it. They may not have participated in it, but they've all seen it, they've all covered it up, they've all been quiet."

In addition, the families hold Linn-Mar athletic director Scott Mahmens responsible for being the supervisor of the department.

The families took their complaints to the school district in early December. Four of those families received letters Wednesday from Linn-Mar principal Jeff Gustason, saying their allegations have been investigated and dismissed due to "insufficient evidence."

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Inconsistency haunts Lions in loss

IOWA CITY - Inconsistent play has plagued Linn-Mar all season.

That inconsistency, along with an outstanding effort from Iowa City High receiver Jason Jones, put an end to the Lions' 2015 season Wednesday  night.

Jones hauled in seven passes for 133 yards, including a backbreaking 62-yard catch and run early in the fourth quarter, as the Little Hawks downed the Lions, 26-16, in a Class 4A opening-round playoff game on a raw, windy evening at Bates Field.

City High (7-3) advances to the second round against an opponent to be determined while the Lions finish the year at 4-6.

"City High did a real good job," said Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth. "They played a real good football game, but we had some opportunities, like we've had all year."

Poor position hurt the Lions on their first two drives. Punts into the wind gave the Little Hawks great field position.

City High needed five plays to move 58 yards for its first score. Quarterback Jared Taylor connected with Jones on three of the five plays, the final one a brilliant 22-yard fade pass that took it to the Lion 1 where Bryce Frantz punched it in. The PAT kick was blocked, leaving the lead at 6-0.

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