Hinsdale D86 Coach Won't Be Suspended

HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board decided on Tuesday against suspending Hinsdale South's head boys basketball coach.

The board was originally set to vote on putting coach Michael Belcaster on paid administrative leave.

In November, the mother of a South student sued the district. 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.

During public comments, more than a dozen players and parents spoke up for Belcaster, saying he has been a good coach.

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

"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.

She appeared to refer to the lawsuit.

"When the lies came forward for Mike's intentions for cutting a player, it shattered him," his wife said. "It is completely untrue and is in no way something Mike would ever do."

She continued, "Everything he has worked so hard for in the 17 years that I've known him has been unfairly portrayed and taken from him, from radio stations, social media to the news. His name has been dragged all over the place."

She said her husband has kept quiet during the ordeal as he was instructed to do because he is professional and didn't want to jeopardize his role. She did not identify who told him to stay silent.

His wife also said her husband, a kidney disease survivor, is a "genuinely good person."

"What he loves most in this world other than his family is basketball and coaching," Alicia Belcaster said. "I'm sure most of you don't know that our second daughter was born three days before the season and tryouts began in November. Mike didn't miss one day because he is so dedicated to the program, to these students behind me."

After the public comments, 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.

Afterward, a woman yelled, "Can he have an apology from you?"

Greenspon paused and said, "Beg your pardon."

No one in the audience said anything. The board then resumed, voting to go into a second closed meeting about another issue.

The audience applauded again.