Former GCHS Coach Issues Final Word on Departure

Adam Huening

Nearly a month since he resigned his position as head coach of the Greensburg Community High School’s (GCHS) varisty football team amid controversy, Eric Schreiber has issued a final statement regarding the issue.

“In an effort to dispel the rumor and innuendo circulating in Greensburg and the football community, I am issuing the following statement regarding the circumstances surrounding my separation from the Greensburg Community Schools, and the Greensburg Pirates football program,” Schreiber stated in the release.

He detailed his relationship with two student athletes, which began near the end of 2007-08 school year and extended into the summer. Schreiber wanted it clear the relationship developed because the students “sought my advice and counsel on personal issues with which they were dealing.” He assisted those students “as would any concerned teacher and coach.” During that time, he exchanged text messages, the only of form of contact they had, and admitted he used language that may not have been appropriate.

“However, in hindsight, I now realize that in providing advice and counsel to them, on a few occasions I expressed myself in language that, while commonplace on the football field or in the locker room, was inappropriate in the circumstances in which I used it. I regret any discomfort this caused the student athletes,” Schreiber stated.

He wanted it made clear that despite rumors, the “inappropriate language” was the only thing that had taken place and did not contain what some believed.

“Contrary to some of the rumors that have been circulated, the text messages involved had no sexual content whatsoever, and any suggestion that there was a sexual content to the dialogue between me and these student athletes is absolutely false,” he stated.

The statement was issued to the Greensburg Daily News through Robert Parker of Burke Costanza & Cuppy LLP, a law firm based in Merrillville. Parker said Schreiber had no intention of filing any lawsuits but merely needed help to “find closure.”

“He needed legal advice, which is why most people retain a lawyer,” Parker said.

Parker noted he and his client felt this was the best way to put the situation behind them so Schreiber could move forward with his teaching and coaching career.

“That’s what we decided to do after discussing this with the Greensburg School Corporation officials and felt it was the best way to resolve this matter as well as in regards to his future career decisions,” Parker said.

Schreiber resigned Oct. 1 after school and corporation officials were made aware of the text situation. An emergency meeting of the GCS board of education was convened. Schreiber tendered his resignation then, citing “personal and family reasons.”

His departure caused an outburst of protest from many students at GCHS, who held before-school sit-ins for days after Schreiber left.

Corporation officials chose not to comment on this recent statement.



Eric Schreiber's official



In an effort to dispel the rumor and innuendo circulating in Greensburg and the football community, I am issuing the following statement regarding the circumstances surrounding my separation from the Greensburg Community Schools, and the Greensburg Pirates football program.

Near the end of the 2007-2008 school year, and into the summer months, I was contacted by two Greensburg student athletes who sought my advice and counsel on personal issues with which they were dealing. I responded as a coach and teacher, and counseled these student athletes as would any concerned teacher and coach. However, in hindsight, I now realize that in providing advice and counsel to them, on a few occasions I expressed myself in language that, while commonplace on the football field or in the locker room, was inappropriate in the circumstances in which I used it. I regret any discomfort this caused the student athletes.

I would like to stress that the only contact I had with these student athletes was in the form of text messages. There was never any telephone or physical contact between me and these student athletes. Contrary to some of the rumors that have been circulated, the text messages involved had no sexual content whatsoever, and any suggestion that there was a sexual content to the dialogue between me and these student athletes is absolutely false.

When this situation came to the attention of the Greensburg Community School Corporation officials, I discussed it at length with them.

Given my family situation, and the distraction this situation caused in the school community, I felt that the best resolution of the situation was for me to resign my position as a teacher and coach. School corporation officials understood this decision, and accepted my resignation with regret.

I am grateful to the Greensburg Community School Corporation and to the people of Greensburg for the courtesy and affection shown to me and my family in the nearly five years I have been here. I am especially grateful to the student athletes at Greensburg for their dedication and loyalty.

It is my intention to continue in my career as a coach and teacher, and I look forward to moving on. As the matter is now resolved, I will have no further comment.



Eric Schreiber

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