Olympia School Board takes up case of fired coach

Lobbying continues on behalf of a former high school coach in Olympia dismissed from his job for what happened during a basketball camp this summer.

Doug Galloway concedes he was not supervising the players when they were involved in what’s being called the hazing of teammates during a June hoops camp at Western Washington University, in Bellingham. The hazing involved what campus police termed: “forced sexual contact.”

Another big crowd is expected Monday night when the Olympia School Board takes up the case. Galloway retained his job as a physical education teacher. The board will consider other business first, and then discuss the coach’s situation in executive session, meaning in private. It’s the board’s first chance to discuss the coach’s dismissal as a group.

The district has received multiple complaints about the handling of Galloway’s case. An organized community campaign is underway calling for the reinstatement of the 22-year veteran of boys basketball coaching.

Galloway has said if he doesn’t get his team back, he’ll look for a coaching job someplace else.