North High School head coach Mark Mejia has been suspended from the department after he failed to disclose a traffic accident involving his players
It was later revealed by the official that Mejia failed to report a traffic accident this summer while driving several players to a summer training event.
The accident took place while head coach Mark Mejia was on his way to take his 7-7 players to the tournament in Maricopa.
Phoenix High School Coach Suspended for Failing to Disclose Summer’s Traffic Accident Involving Players Immediately!
Coach Mark Mejia was driving a minibus with his players to Just Chilly’s Flight Club tournament, which was set to be held in Maricopa.
But before they could reach the event site, Mejia’s minibus rear-ended another vehicle. That car also had players from a different team headed to the same tournament.
While no injuries were seen at the moment and no one was harmed, Mark chose to keep the incident secret and not tell the High School Department.
Recently, in an interview, Mejia revealed that he had been suspended for failing to report the accident, an incident that school officials argued could have endangered student-athletes.
According to Mejia, both vehicles pulled over and confirmed that no one was hurt. Parents at the tournament also agreed that the players were fine and allowed them to participate in the games.
After being suspended from the program, he talked to the media and shared his statement saying;
“They were going to the same tournament, and they said, ‘Hey, let’s just get to the tournament and we’ll exchange information. They got there. It’s a Saturday. The parents said, ‘Hey, the kids are fine. Let’s just play football.’ We played, we’ll take care of this on Monday.”
Further speaking to the media, he also shared that he was initially suspended for five years, but after he appealed to the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board, his suspension was reduced to two years.
While some supported Mejia, noting that there were no injuries or harm, district officials said he did not follow proper protocol, which led to his suspension.
After the suspension was officially enforced, Mejia also addressed government officials, taking responsibility for the incident.
“Nobody else should be penalized, I was the only one on the bus driving. I said, ‘Hey, I take full ownership of it. I’m not trying to hide from it.’ “
After Mark was suspended from the position, Phoenix North High School assigned North baseball coach A.J. Liebau to lead the football program.
Despite being suspended from North, Mejia is currently helping coach at Phoenix Brophy Prep this season, working with the tight ends.
