Milwaukee School of Languages athletic director Robert Slavens led the Hawks to a victory Jan. 8 over Milwaukee Washington.
Milwaukee School of Languages athletic director Robert Slavens has been serving as the interim boys basketball coach since Jan. 7 amid reports of a coach and teacher "not currently working in the school" while an alleged slapping incident remains under investigation.
Slavens, a 27-year employee of the Milwaukee Public Schools district who has served at School of Languages for 12 years, would not confirm the status of John Allen, who started the season as head basketball coach. Allen indicated in a Journal Sentinel preseason coaches survey that he was in his 12th season with the program.
"Right now I'm the interim coach. Those decisions are made by the higher ups," Slavens said after the Hawks' 89-67 win over Milwaukee Washington on Jan. 8.
Slavens did confirm the details of his involvement in an incident as described in an email to district faculty and parents from School of Languages principal Dr. Juan Baez, which was verified by the Journal Sentinel with Milwaukee Public Schools communications officials. The email refers to an incident of a teacher and athletic coach at the school "allegedly slapping a student athlete during a practice before the holiday break."
"That was something that happened about a month before break. I don't know a lot about it. I mean, I know a little bit, but those things are really being discussed with, once again, the higher ups," Slavens said.
Asked about the portion of the email referring to the athletic director's involvement in removing the coach, whose name or sport was not identified in the email, from practice, Slavens confirmed he intervened with the coach.
"Yeah, there was some reason to do that immediately and to get some statements. There's a whole protocol that happens, and I believe we followed it correctly," he said.
Slavens said he has not heard of any prior incidents involving the coach. He also said he was unaware if the coach was suspended, fired or remained on the school's payroll.
After the School of Languages' victory over Washington to move to 5-4 on the season and 2-2 in the City Conference Blue Division, Hawks players doused Slavens with water bottles in celebratory appreciation.
"I've never witnessed that on a basketball court. It's usually a football thing, totally unexpected," Slavens said. "But these guys, I tell you what, I love them. They've got good character, they're great kids, and I'm just happy to be able to be here for them."
Slavens said the week has been challenging for players and coaches.
"You know, once rumors start flying people really don't know what the truth is. The truth still hasn't been proven as far as I know yet. So this is all a process, but my job, I felt, was just to be there for the kids, to give them all I can, all I can teach them and to keep things positive. And we had a really good practice last night and looked tonight like they responded pretty well," Slavens said.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee School of Languages wins basketball game with interim coach
Category: General Sports
