Hinsdale South Coach Let Go After Season Ends

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale South High School's boys basketball coach has been let go.

Coach Michael Belcaster is listed in school board documents as "end of assignment" as of March 13. The high school basketball season is over.

The Sun-Times first reported on Belcaster's dismissal Wednesday morning.

In a statement, the district said it was unable to discuss Belcaster’s employment "at this time."

At a Jan. 23 special school board meeting, members were set to vote on putting Belcaster on paid administrative leave.

But before the board met behind closed doors, more than a dozen players and parents spoke up for Belcaster, saying he had been a good coach.

The coach's wife, Alicia Belcaster, also addressed the board at the time.

"When Mike received the call this past weekend that he was being relieved of his duties until further notice, he was absolutely crushed and came to tears," she said.

The board went behind closed doors for more than an hour.

When it returned, board President Catherine Greenspon announced the board would not take action on the proposal to suspend Belcaster.

When member Peggy James asked for an explanation to the audience, Greenspon said, "What that means is that coach Belcaster will resume his regular–"

Before she could finish her sentence, the audience erupted in cheers for 30 seconds.

In November, the mother of a South student sued the Hinsdale High School District 86 in federal court. She alleged Belcaster cut her son from the team in retaliation for filing a complaint against his predecessor.

Days later, the school board let the player back on the team.

The lawsuit is pending, with court records indicating settlement negotiations are taking place.

Patch left messages for comment with Michael Belcaster and attorney Steven Glink, who is representing player Brendan Savage's mother, Erin Savage.

The Sun-Times said it reached Belcaster by text message.

"Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to speak on this at this time. I will reach out when able," he told the newspaper.

Belaster is a physical education teacher at Brooks Middle School in Bolingbrook.