In Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Park Center Senior High School has long been a source of community pride, particularly for its sports teams.
Families cheer for the Pirates, the school’s mascot, and spend countless hours supporting their kids on the field.
But a Recent Incident has Turned that Pride into Worry for One Family and Raised Questions about Student Safety
Braden Sanders, a devoted parent whose family has been part of the school for over four years, posted a troubling story on Facebook about his son being assaulted by an assistant football coach.
An incident that occurred during a game against Cooper High School has sparked outrage and calls for change.
The incident took place on the sidelines during the Park Center vs. Cooper football game. Sanders’ son was benched with a concussion, sitting out to heal as required.
According to Sanders, there was no reason for any conflict, but Assistant Coach Tyler Holte approached his son in an aggressive manner.
He allegedly grabbed the boy and yelled in his face, calling him a “f*cking nobody” while continuing to berate him.
Sanders insists this isn’t typical football coaching. He remembers his own tough coaches who never laid hands on him or shouted insults.
He wrote, stressing that real mentors lift kids up, not tear them down-:
“For those that think this is just part of football, I can assure you it’s not,”
Holte, who has been the quarterback assistant coach and an educational support paraprofessional at Park Center, denied touching the student.
Sanders says Holte even blamed his son, feeding a false story to other coaches. Video from the game caught the verbal attack, but didn’t clearly show the physical contact due to the angle.
Still, multiple witnesses, including a student who saw everything, backed up the boy’s account of both the yelling and the grab. That witness shared details with Sanders’ son, who passed them to school officials.
Initially, the Osseo Area School District and Athletic Director Keelie Sorensen stated that there was no physical contact, claiming the stories didn’t match.
But after Sanders provided the witness statement, the district changed its tune. They admitted “a touch occurred, but it was inconclusive as to what type.”
To Sanders, that sounds like a clear violation of district rules against unnecessary physical contact and intimidation.
He pointed to Policy 423, which requires staff to treat students with respect and avoid aggressive touching, and Policy 507, which prohibits corporal punishment, such as grabbing or striking in anger.
He believes Holte broke these rules, yet the punishment was only a one-week suspension from the football team.
This light consequence left Sanders angry and confused. He asked-:
“This slap on the wrist shows that Park Center and the district think what Tyler Holte did doesn’t warrant termination. Well, what does?”
Via Facebook
His son is shaken and humiliated, feeling unsafe around someone meant to be a leader.
The family is now considering removing their kids from the district, a tough decision after years of support.
Holte’s background adds to the concern.
Before Park Center, he worked as a Patient Prep Lead with Peace Together Uganda and the Starkey Hearing Foundation, helping with medical missions.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law Studies from Hamline University and a Bachelor of Education from Augsburg University, suggesting a path to teaching and leadership.
But Sanders urged parents to check Holte’s criminal record, listing his birthdate as November 9, 1983, and mentioning three assault charges.
Court records show two charges from May 4, 2025.
The first, fifth-degree assault for inflicting or attempting bodily harm, was dismissed on July 22, 2025, and is a misdemeanor.
The second, disorderly conduct for brawling or fighting, led to a conviction on the same date, also a misdemeanor.
Sanders’ claim of three assault charges might point to older cases not shown here, and the public court portal offers more details. This history raises serious questions about Holte’s fitness to work with teens.
Sanders’ Public Post has Stirred Strong Reactions
Joy Sorensen Navarre wrote,
“Braden, what happened to your son was terrible. I am very sorry and hope he gets an apology from the coach.”
Via Facebook
KT N King added-:
Coaches should guide and nurture kids, not rob them of their dignity. This man needs to be held accountable.
The #ParkCenterAssault hashtag is spreading on Facebook groups for parents and alumni, though local news hasn’t picked it up yet.
Park Center, part of ISD 279, serves about 2,000 students and boasts strong programs like International Baccalaureate and athletics.
But this incident highlights a bigger issue in high school sports—where discipline can cross into bullying. Studies show verbal and physical abuse by coaches can harm kids’ mental health, leading to anxiety or quitting sports.
Sanders warns, “Keep a close watch on your kids! They may not be safe at Park Center.”
As more parents speak out, the hope is for better staff vetting, stricter rules, and a focus on student safety.
For now, this #ParkCenterAssault is a wake-up call for the community to stay vigilant and demand change.
