“We want our coach back”, Midland Valley parents show support for Earl Chaptman Aiken Co. BOE Meeting

AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) – Midland Valley parents were making their voices heard at the Aiken County Board of Education Meeting Tuesday night.

They’re sharing their thoughts following the dismissal of Earl Chaptman as the school’s head football coach.

“I’ve been an Aiken County resident for 65 years, and I just want to say in the words of the Green Arrow: the Board of Aiken County Education has failed the citizens of Midland Valley and the students of Midland Valley by taking their coach away,” said Sharon Severynse.

Severynse has been supporting the Midland Valley football program for quite some time now, and she’s one of several showing support for Chaptman.

“I’m a business owner, and I donate two to three thousand dollars a year to the football program, and I’m really concerned that I might not be able to do that currently,” Severynse said.

Lauminnia Nivens addressed the school board, speaking on behalf of parents attending in the audience.

“I know the respect and admiration the students have for him (Chaptman)–and the numerous amounts of student athletes who have gone on to college since he’s been there, and the ones now that our striving to go to college, because of him and his leadership,” said Nivens.

In a statement released last week, the Aiken County School District confirmed that Chaptman will remain as a teacher in the district, but will step down as head coach.

Former Assistant Brent Dorn is taking over the program for the fall season.

This all follows D-U-I and domestic violence charges against Chaptman in recent months.

The domestic violence charges were dropped, but not the D-U-I charge.

According to the Aiken County Second Judicial Circuit Public Index , Chaptman has requested a jury trial for several moving violations from May 2024, including 1 ^st Offense Driving Under the Influence; Speeding; Driving on Wrong Side of Road, Improper Lane, Or Unsafely Shifting Lanes; and Failure to Maintain Proof of Insurance in Motor Vehicle.

His attorney, Sidney Jones, says this proves the accusations were false.

“It’s a complete violation of everything we stand for as a community. Everything was dismissed against the coach, in the eyes of the law it didn’t happen,” Jones said.

Nivens also made that point in her speech to the board.

“We need to teach our children to value our justice system, by showing them that being accused of bad behavior does not make you guilty of bad behavior. Nor should you be held accountable or punished for behaviors that you’re not guilty of,” said Nivens.

Jones says Chaptman thinks highly of Coach Dorn, but it’s his goal to get his job back.

“Coach Dorn’s a fine, upstanding young man, no problem with that. But it’s Coach Chaptman’s position, and he’s the one that generated the atmosphere and the success at Midland Valley, and whilst they take it away from him now because he’s done nothing wrong,” said Jones.

“We’re trying to lobby with the proper people in the proper positions. We haven’t filed any lawsuits, but I think he would win one, because it’s a flagrant breach of contract. But it’s up to the board to make a decision to do what’s right for the community.”

Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy declined to comment on the situation at this time.

While Chaptman is looking to get back on the sidelines for the Mustangs, his attorney did not confirm he will be supporting the team this fall.

“That’s a question for Coach Chaptman. I would hope that he would, because he’s got the community’s support, and we would all welcome him there,” Jones said.

“We’re just here to say tonight that we want our coach back,” said Nivens.

The Mustangs begin the 2024 season in 10 days, with their season home opener scheduled for August 23rd against J.L. Mann.

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