Two people spoke in favor of the current Kingfisher High School coaching staff, but dozens were on hand Monday to show their support at the district’s board of education meeting.

More than 80 people signed in as guests at the meeting as they heard from a parent of former players who also has a son on the current team as well as one current KHS player address the board.

“We as a football team and students thought it was very prudent that we came as a whole to support our coaches,” said Slade Snodgrass, who will be a senior this fall.

As Snodgrass addressed the board, several other current members of the football team stood.

“We are in favor of our coaches,” said Greg Borelli, who’s had three sons go through the football program and a fourth, Kyle Borelli, will be a junior this fall.

“Coach (Jeff) Myers and that coaching staff: Hats off to you guys,” Borelli added later. “Every year you represent our school very well and that’s what it’s all about is representing the school.”

The show of support was in response to a lawsuit filed last Thursday in Kingfisher County District Court.

Filed with the plaintiff listed as “John Doe No. 1,” the lawsuit alleges KHS coaches encouraged and utilized hazing as a form to “weed out” weaker, younger players.

The Kingfisher school district, head coach Jeff Myers, assistant Derek Patterson and former assistants Micah Nall and Blake Eaton were listed as defendants.

Although it provided no specifics, the lawsuit alleges John Doe No. 1 and others suffered abuse that “rose to the level of torture” over his four-year career.

The plaintiff, now 18, is a 2021 KHS graduate, according to the lawsuit.

Snodgrass called Myers a role model.

“Over the last 18 years, coach Myers has produced the most successful football team in our program’s history built on family, trust and faith,” Snodgrass said. “(He) has served as a great role model and father figure to some inside and outside the football atmosphere.

“He shows concern and compassion toward his players and pushes us to be our best.”

Borelli said his endorsement wasn’t just coming from knowing how Myers and his staff dealt with his own sons.

“I’ve been around them for a lot of different reasons, personally and on the field,” he said.

Snodgrass insinuated the John Doe No. 1 wasn’t the only person involved in the lawsuit.

“It is not fair to us for parents not involved in our program to have our coaches fired,” he said. “It is with all thought and compassion that if you truly care for us kids and our opinions, you would see it optimal that we want our coaches and do not like the agenda that seems to be pushed to take our coaches from us to benefit personal reasons.”

A large portion of the crowd left after the public comments portion of the board agenda.

There was no item on the agenda that dealt with any football staff member’s position.

Joining Borelli, Snodgrass and members of the current team in the crowd were former KHS football players, parents of former players, current KPS staff members, family members of those named as defendants in the lawsuit and at least one current member of the football staff.

None of the named defendants was present at the meeting.