Imagine being told you should resign from coaching because you have too many black players on your team–even if you have a winning streak. Well, Camden Catholic's Coach Nick Strom doesn't have to imagine. He claims a South Jersey high school official told him just that.

“I think this [is] from me not conforming with their viewpoints on what they want the student body and the football team to look like,” Strom told the Courier Post. “I’ve tried to build this program into one that’s based on kids being of ability, high character and high grades."

Last Friday, the school president Mary Whipkey and Principal Heather Crisci informed Strom his contract as a history teacher would not be renewed for next year, and also asked that he resign as head football and golf coach. Strom has served as the school's football coach since 2013, and his team has had only had two losses under his leadership.

“From day one, the administration told me they did not approve of the ratio of black to white students," Strom continued, noting that race came up "10 to 20 times” in discussions with Whipkey.

Photo: GIPHY

According to Strom, minorities represent about half of his team. The Catholic high school denied his allegations in a statement.

“On Friday, April 27, Camden Catholic High School notified an untenured faculty member that his contract would not be renewed for the 2018-19 school year," stated the school. "We do not comment on personnel matters, but it has come to our attention that he has chosen to muddy the reasons for his dismissal with baseless accusations against the school and administration. Any concern about racism or racial insensitivity is taken seriously and investigated fully.”

In the statement, Whipkey lists several reasons for the decision, including dress violations, leaving class early and allowing students to leave early, among other things.

“The bottom line is you’re one of the winningest coaches in South Jersey for the last four years, so we want to know why,” said Terence Ware, the father of two young men who play football under Strom. “I’m dumbfounded, because these issues seem so small."

“He’s a damn good coach,” Ware added. “For the kids to respect him, respect what he’s doing and believe in his program, that says a lot. He’s been very supportive of my children in the classroom and on the field to make sure their grades were done properly. He’s definitely a leader. My sons love him. As a parent, I love him as a coach and as a person. What he’s going through is definitely wrong.”

Athletic Director Derrick Levine, who is African American, also supported the school in disputing Strom's allegations.

"I don't think it's true," noted Levine. "It's not something I personally experience here. Each kid has their own story and I think there are a lot of kids who would tell you otherwise. "

"If they're having a positive experience, a lot of times that's not what's being spoken about," Levine continued.

Monday, about 22 students walked out of their classes in protest and support of Strom.

“It hit me so off guard, as much as Coach Strom has done for us. He’s paved the way for us these four years,” noted football star Marcus Hillman. “He’s done an unbelievable job as a coach and a teacher here. It’s come out of nowhere. It hurts all of us to know that a man we look up to doesn’t have a job anymore."

“We felt like we needed to walk out of school to show that we’re all together and we’re with Coach Strom in a tough time for him,” he added.

Monday morning, Strom told school officials on that he will not resign until directly instructed to do so.

South Jersey

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