Frustrated parents and community members gathered together in support of Malcolm Burks, head coach of the Newburgh Free Academy Boys Track and Field Team, on Tuesday, April 18 after it was reported that Burks had been suspended after a verbal confrontation with a parent during a recent competition.

A police report obtained from the Village of Goshen Police Department identified the parent as Christopher Worrell.

The report alleged that Worrell became physical with Burks and cursed at him at which point Burks contacted Goshen school district officials to have Worrell removed from the competition area. Village police officers and Goshen Athletic Director George St. Lawrence spoke with Worrell and removed him from the competition area without any incident.

Both Burks and Worrell were advised to make contact with Newburgh Athletic Director Christian Hodge, Sr. A copy of the report was sent to the office of District Attorney David Hoovler via email. The district attorney’s office responded that they declined to prosecute and deemed the situation to have been handled appropriately.

On the night of the board meeting, Burks stated that he had spoken with Hodge about Worrell’s presence on campus as the district had an upcoming track meet. Burks would later find out that Worrell would be attending as his daughter is a runner on the girls’ team and he wanted to see her compete. “I told him [Hodges] that I do not feel safe for myself, my athletes and my assistant coach with that parent there,” said Burks. “I don’t understand how right now I’m being told that I can’t coach, I can’t be on school property, I can’t talk to the kids because I’m under investigation. But what’s being done to this parent? If you’re investigating me, I still should be able to do my job.”

Due to the suspension, Burks would not be able to coach his athletes for the upcoming New York Penn Relay competitions that assist students with potential college recruitments.

Felicia Hodges, Burks’ wife, also asked why Worrell was allowed to be on campus grounds to watch his child compete.

“Nobody from the district, not one person has reached out to talk to him [Burks],” said Hodges. “Just makes no sense to me, it just makes no sense.”

Comments from the public expressed their frustration with the district and strong criticism of the handling of the situation. Other community members also questioned the board members if they had ever been to a track meet to see Burks working with his athletes. “We shouldn’t be here. Make it make sense because it doesn’t to me,” said Ray Harvey. “I got an AD who is not invested in my community because he’s not from my community. This man [pointing to Burks] right here is invested in my community.”

“We’re glad that you guys keep right on picking on our number one coach,” said Bishop John Borden. “Y’all gotta make sure his environment is safe.” Borden shared that he had been approached years before to take over the track team even though he was coaching basketball.

Several athletes of Burks who had graduated from NFA years ago also spoke on behalf of their coach in support before concluding public comment. Upon return from the board’s executive session, Dr. Jackielyn Manning-Campbell made the following statement. “I just want to acknowledge that we had some folks from the community come out tonight. We wanted to assure you that we heard you and we are conducting an investigation and we will provide prompt findings,” she said.

Following the Tuesday night meeting, questions regarding the incident and investigative process were sent to Dr. Cassie Sklarz, Director of Communications for clarification. Responses were provided by Sklarz on Monday, April 24 via email. As noted in the comment period that the incident took place on the 15th, no definitive timeline has been established as to how long the investigation would take and how long Burks suspension period would be in effect. “Investigations vary in length depending on information that needs to be reviewed,” said Sklarz. In addition, “placing an employee on leave while an investigation is conducted is standard district practice.” Inquiring about the district officials who would be overseeing the specific case and if Worrell had communicated with the district since the incident, the provided response was that “the district will not comment on a specific matter related to personnel.”

Worrell did not respond to a request for comment.