In May, the Board of Education rejected an appeal by Staples High School boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense of superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice’s decision to not renew his contract.
Freshman coach Chris O’Dell was also not renewed by Scarice. His appeal hearing is set for September 12.
Westport’s loss is Fairfield’s gain.
The pair have joined the coaching staff at Fairfield Warde High School, and been embraced by the Mustang community.
Despite the ordeal, both coaches retain their love for the Staples soccer program. Both are graduates of the school, and former captains.
In heartfelt letters to players and parents, Oost-Lievense and O’Dell describe their long connection to Wrecker soccer; thank their supporters, and note that Staples and Warde will collaborate in the future — including a fundraiser for pediatric cancer research, when the teams meet on September 27.
Click here, to read the letters from the 2 coaches.
Russell Oost-Lievense, in front of the Staples High School boys soccer trophy case. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Chris O’Dell (Photo/Richard McColl)