A youth basketball game in Rosemont, Pennsylvania took a shocking turn when a fight broke out between an assistant coach and the opposing team’s coach, resulting in multiple arrests and several injuries. Assistant coach Brittany Ortiz, 38, and her father William Stanley are facing multiple charges, including assault on a game official, following the incident at Holy Child School on Feb. 1.
The altercation reportedly began when Ortiz became agitated during a second-division basketball game, with witnesses saying she was yelling and cursing, leading to a heated argument with the opposing team’s coach. According to police, the argument escalated in the gym hallway after the game. Ortiz allegedly grabbed the coach’s wife by the hair and threw her to the ground, leading to a more physical confrontation.
Stanley, who was also involved in the altercation, allegedly hit the opposing coach in the head and attempted to kick him in the groin. Koch, who was carrying his 3-year-old daughter at the time, suffered bruising and redness, while his wife suffered dislocated hair, bruising and bruising. Sadly, the little girl, who was distressed by the situation, urinated on herself and suffered a minor injury to her leg.
Three people, including a child, were injured in the incident, which sparked outrage over the behavior of adults at youth sporting events. Ortiz was arrested on charges of assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and harassment, with bail set at $10,000. Stanley later surrendered himself after police issued an arrest warrant.
Lieutenant Michael Keenan of the Lower Merion Police Department emphasized the responsibility of adults to set a positive example at children’s sporting events, saying, “It is incumbent upon coaches and adults alike to act like the adults in the room. We are there to promote a safe learning and playing environment for children.”
The incident occurred after a verbal altercation during a game, but police and witnesses agree that Ortiz and Stanley’s actions went far beyond acceptable conduct for adults supervising children. The Malvern Basketball League, which rented facilities at Holy Child School for the games, said no Holy Child family was involved in the incident.
As the legal process unfolds, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining control and fostering a positive environment in youth sports. The community is left to consider how easily stress can escalate, and the impact this behavior has on both children and adults.