Belief in Burney
PHOTO BY CASSIE JACOBY
Burney Hayes calms a crowd of nearly 40 upset at his dismissal as a citizen coach from Lake Wales High School.
PHOTO BY CASSIE JACOBY
Nearly 40 concerned citizens met at B Street Community Center on Monday night in support of Burney Hayes.
PHOTO BY CASSIE JACOBY
Burney Hayes calms a crowd of nearly 40 upset at his dismissal as a citizen coach from Lake Wales High School.
A heated debate continues to rage around Burney Hayes. Was his dismissal as a citizen coach from Lake Wales High School fair? Nearly 40 citizens said “no” at a B Street Community Center meeting on Monday, Jan. 14. The group expressed support for actions taken by Hayes when he allegedly restrained a 16-year-old basketball player to break up a fight between students on Jan. 7.
“We need to find a way to keep Coach Hayes or find someone who can reach this new generation of leaders,” said Calvin Marion, coached by Hayes as a defensive back on the Lake Wales Highlander team in 1992. He read a letter he wrote to Donna Dunson, Lake Wales High School principal, and Jesse Jackson, Lake Wales Charter Schools superintendent.
