SAN ANTONIO – More than 100 students took to the streets outside Brooks Academy Tuesday morning to protest the apparent firing of a popular athletic director and coach at the Southeast Side school.
The students walked out of class, hoping to convince administrators at the charter school to tell them more about the sudden departure of Eric Hernandez.
Hernandez oversaw the football and wrestling programs in addition to heading up the athletic department. However, some students say he was more than a coach and that he cared deeply about the success of his students.
"Them not letting us know why Coach Hernandez was fired is a tragedy. It's hard for us to believe that he left when he would never leave us,” said Betzaidilis Mojica-Rosado, a 2015 graduate of the school.
Mojica-Rosado joined current students along the edge of the sidewalk. Many of them were linked arm in arm, raising their voices in call-and-response chants.
Meanwhile, a handful of parents stood on a grassy median nearby to silently show their support.
"This coach is amazing,” said Betsy Rosado. “He's done so much for our kids, and for the school to let him go, I'm not for it. And that's why I support what these kids are doing. "
Rosado still has two children who attend the school and are part of the athletic program. She is also Mojica-Rosado's mother.
They both said they have seen numerous changes at the school recently involving other staff members.
"This athletic program is what's helping this school get bigger. Our enrollment, it's everything. And if you're going to go and take the coaches off, what's going to happen to the school?” Rosado said.
The school’s superintendent, Lisa Schutz, said Hernandez left Monday afternoon. Although members of the football team had been made aware of the change, she said there wasn’t time to discuss it with all students.
“We have a meeting scheduled tonight to discuss their concerns with their parents, but I really want them to focus on their education," Schutz said.
Schutz said she would not discuss any details of the situation that might invade anyone’s privacy.
She told the student protesters that they would be considered truant and face suspension if they did not disperse and return to class.
About an hour after the protest began, the students headed back to their classrooms.