Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
NewsCut
Bob Collins

Clown mask takes out a soccer coach

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

The Great Clown Scare of 2016 has taken down a guy who was giving his time to help kids.

Fox 9 News reports St. Francis High School has fired Ben Hildre, coach of the JV girl's soccer team, because he wore a clown mask.

fox9_clown_coach

He wouldn't have done it if the gorilla costume he normally wears for some annual team tradition hadn't been damaged.

His team took a picture of him and everything seemed fine until -- you'll want to sit down for this -- it got posted on social media.

The student who made the initial report to the superintendent tells Fox 9 she was “appalled” that an adult would wear a clown mask, in light of the reports of scary clown sightings across the country. She says when she found out the person wearing the mask was the school’s soccer coach, she reached out to the superintendent.

Independent School District 15 Superintendent Troy Ferguson defends the decision to discontinue Hildre’s services.

“We all make mistakes and this was a big one,” said Ferguson. “Kids are scared and it’s not okay for adults to be part of that to make kids scared.”

Ben Hildre’s team now rallies behind their coach.

“It was a joke, none of us felt threatened at all,” said Madison Mart, a St. Francis High School senior.

“It’s just sad that they took this out of proportion and got rid of him,” said Elsie Johnson, a St. Francis High School senior.

“All I really want is to teach these girls, build up their self-esteem, have fun at the sport and enjoy,” the coach told the TV station. He said he started coaching the team a couple of years ago to spend more time with his daughter.

The school superintendent said the letter he sent to the coach didn't say he would lose his job permanently.

There's no word on how the gorilla costume got damaged.