A parent has come forward with serious allegations against a Topeka West High School coach in the USD 501 School District, claiming that her 15-year-old son was left unsupervised more than an hour away from home following a sporting event — and that school officials have taken no meaningful action in response.
The parent says her son left the field during a game at Basehor-Linwood High School and called her for help after allegedly being told by Assistant Coach McGreevey that he would be left behind. The mother, who was already en route to Manhattan, Kansas, for work, had to turn around and drive nearly two hours to reach her son.
According to the parent, while she was driving to retrieve her son, the Topeka West athletic director contacted her and stated that the bus would not leave without him. However, as she approached Basehor, she saw the 501 team bus already departing — without her son aboard, though one assistant coach reportedly stayed behind with her son until she arrived.
Following the incident, the parent said she was informed that the coach admitted to making the comment but claimed he “didn’t mean it” and had intended only to “scare” the student.
“I don’t care. You don’t tell a 15-year-old you are going to leave them an hour away from home,” the parent said. “The adults are supposed to be examples for our children, but they’re being allowed to bully the children.”
She also alleges that no effort was made to locate her son until the game concluded, suggesting that the coach’s primary concern was ensuring the team’s timely return — not the safety of a missing student.
In response to an inquiry from This Is Topeka, USD 501 administration issued the following statement:
“The district and school administration take the appropriate steps to inform families and the appropriate agencies when an issue that requires that step occurs. Attached is our bullying policy, as the district takes all complaints of bullying seriously and takes steps to address them.”
— Dr. Aarion L. Gray, General Director of Instructional Services, USD 501
No further details were provided regarding whether any disciplinary action was taken against McGreevey or what additional steps, if any, were implemented to address the incident.
The athletic director involved has been identified by the parent as Ms. Nash. To date, no direct statement from Topeka West High School’s coaching staff or athletic department has been issued.
This Is Topeka will continue to monitor the situation and welcomes additional tips regarding student safety concerns within USD 501. To submit a confidential story, email [email protected].
