Nyack Schools To Remove Name Of Former Coach From HS Field: Report

NYACK, NY — Allegations of child sex abuse against former assistant varsity baseball coach Peter Recla led Tuesday to the Nyack Board of Education's unanimous decision to remove the name of Recla's longtime boss, Coach Dave Siegriest, from sites at Nyack High School, The Journal News reported.

The alleged incidents took place a quarter-century ago. Recla has never been charged with a crime, but a case under the Child Victims Act was settled by the district in 2022, the paper reported. Siegriest was 43 when he died of cancer in 2006. He and Recla had worked together for two decades.

People spoke both in favor and against the change at the meeting, TJN reported. Family members said Siegriest would have been devastated to learn of the accusations.

Read the entire article on lohud.com.

A group called Nyack Baseball Alumni for Truth, Transparency & Support started a petition Jan. 2 to Nyack school officials on Change.org.

"We are your former Baseball players and we are no longer comfortable with the name Dave Siegriest and its association with the Baseball Field scoreboard, Memorial Tournament or Courage Award," its organizers said on that website. "While no one is accusing Dave Siegriest of sexual abuse, he was at best negligent. He failed to protect the kids for whom he was ultimately responsible as Head Coach of the Baseball team. He had the benefit of pattern recognition over 21 years spent by Peter Recla’s side. He neither listened to nor acted when members of the team, community or staff approached him directly with their credible and consistent concerns."