Capital High School’s boys basketball coach has been relieved of his coaching duties for lack of supervision amid an investigation of “forced sexual contact” between students, according to Olympia School District spokesman Ryan Betz.
Members of the boys basketball program – 32 players and five coaches – attended a team camp June 28-30 at Western Washington University. An incident involving “inappropriate behavior” involving players occurred June 29 on the Bellingham campus while ex-coach Doug Galloway attended a university-sanctioned event, Betz said.
The district declined to go into details, citing student-privacy laws. According to the Western Washington University police log, a report was filed at 5:09 p.m. June 30 about an incident at the Ridgeway Alpha residence hall. Betz confirmed that the report was part of the district’s investigation.
Betz said “the head coach didn’t provide adequate supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of the students at the camp,” adding that the students were not supervised by Olympia School District staff members.
“The big thing here is the health and well-being and safety of the students are our top priority,” Betz said.
Galloway, reached by phone Wednesday afternoon, said he has appreciated the “hundreds of phone calls and emails in support” of him. He declined to go into detail about what happened.
“I want to thank Capital High School for the opportunity to be their coach for 11 years,” he said. “I love the school. It’s my alma mater. It’s a great place to be. The school district felt this was what had to be done. I wish it hadn’t happened, but it did.”
Galloway will stay at the school as a physical education teacher and head girls golf coach, Betz said.
Galloway, a 1984 Capital graduate, has been the head coach at his high school alma mater since 2001. He has a 22-year background coaching high school boys basketball at White River, Kentwood and Capital high schools. Last year, he guided the Cougars to an 11-10 record with a fourth-place finish in the 3A Narrows League.
Capital principal Chris Woods said the school is looking to get a head coach “as quickly as we can, but we also want to get the best qualified person.” He couldn’t say whether the remaining coaches will remain on staff, adding that that will be determined soon.
mwochnick@theolympian.com
360-754-5473
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