The District 205 Board of Education took no action on the future employment of Galesburg High School’s head football coach after a nearly two-hour closed session meeting Wednesday night.
Derrek Blackwell has been on paid leave from his position as a school safety/ security officer and Streaks football coach since he was arrested April 24 on charges of domestic battery. He immediately entered a diversion program.
The only item on the agenda of Wednesday’s special meeting was to discuss “the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.” While the item did not mention Derrek Blackwell by name, he was in attendance Wednesday and was invited to enter the closed session with board members, administration and district legal counsel on several occasions.
Once the board reconvened into open session after nearly two hours in closed session, District 205 Board President Courtney Rodriguez announced, “We are not going to take any action on these agenda items tonight.”
District 205 Superintendent of Schools John Asplund tells WGIL “the decision has been tabled until Monday night’s regular board meeting.” The regularly scheduled June meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday at the board office at 940 W. Fremont St.
Blackwell declined comment when approached by WGIL.
Board advertises for ‘anticipated interim head coach’
District 205 posted a job opening for “Anticipated Head Varsity Football Coach (Interim Position)” on the district website on May 30.
Four people spoke in support of Blackwell during the public comment portion of the meeting prior to the board convening into closed session. Approximately 40 people attended the meeting, including about a dozen current and past Silver Streaks football players.
Louise Wilder expressed to the six board members in attendance — Rod Scherpe was absent — the “Black community needs Derrek Blackwell.”
“Derrek has been a major part of the community,” Wilder said. “I’ve known him since birth. I’ve watched him grow up.
“We think a lot of Derrek, and we want to make sure you understand that we as a Black community need Derrek Blackwell. We’ve got a man that the children love. I know they love him, because I’ve talked to them.
“We all make mistakes in life — none of us are perfect. I’m sure Derrek has made some. But I’m telling you, he is a fine man, and he will continue to do a good job. For me as a Black woman, to see my grand children think as much of a man as they do for Derrek is nothing short of wonderful.”
Wilder finished by encouraging the board to “keep an open mind and do the right thing.”
Supporter says Blackwell ‘the perfect man for the job’
GHS graduate and former Streaks athlete Marlon La Violette said Blackwell is “the perfect man for the job” at GHS.
“Derrek believes in kids, and I didn’t really feel that growing up in Galesburg,” La Violette said. “I’ve known Derrek my whole life, and we played sports together. He believes in kids, he believes in God and he believes in community involvement.
“He helps bridge the gap that these kids need today. They need a strong male figure they can look up to, and that’s what Coach Blackwell provides. He cares about kids.”
Fred Britton said Blackwell “prepares kids for tomorrow.”
“My concern is that he gets a fair opportunity,” Britton said. “Sometimes, I feel there are double standards in the community.
“Yes, there was a mistake made. But it’s not a question of if you’ll fall, it’s how you pick yourself up.”
Britton added, “I really hope you take a good look at who he is as a character. This is man who knows how to talk and relate to these kids. He’s wore their shoes before.”
Finally, Blackwell’s mother Lisa Williams Hall spoke in her son’s defense.
“I’m the proud mother of Derrek, and I come here in support of him, and him keeping his employment and his coaching position with the district,” Williams Hall said.
“I’m still confused on why he’s been asked to resign, especially without any charges. It’s almost like the administration decided he was guilty before being proven innocent. That’s just not how it works.”
Williams Hall said she believes the district is concerned with “public perception.”
“For me, I think it’s wrong that’s the direction we’re choosing,” she said. “What I do know is, the kids and the community respect Derrek. And some of them do it quietly, out of fear.
“He has included the community in all of this stuff, yet we want to get rid of him. For what? What is the basis? I still have no clue. I do know he has dedicated his life for the last 17 years coaching in District 205.”
The coach could be seen interacting with the players in attendance Wednesday, at one point giving fist-bumps to the current and past Streaks. However, none of the players chose to address the board during public comment.
A 2003 GHS graduate, Blackwell was an all-state running back for the Streaks during his time at GHS. He been the Streaks head football coach for three years, posting records of 4-5, 3-6 and 2-7 this past season.
