Story Created:
Feb 17, 2012 at 10:30 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
Feb 17, 2012 at 11:41 PM AKDT
Bartlett High School softball players rallied near their school Friday afternoon to express frustration over the firing of their coach Dennis Franks.
Franks’ daughter and captain of the team, Brook Franks, said Bartlett officials haven’t been open about why Franks was fired.
“They don't feel comfortable giving us information without him there but they wouldn't give us information even if he was there, but me being his daughter I feel like I should know,” said Brook Franks.
The mother of one of the softball players asked a court for a restraining order on Wednesday. Franks was served with a restraining order by Anchorage Police Department the following morning and will appear in court later this month.
An Anchorage Police spokesperson said as of Friday there had been no complaint filed with them concerning Dennis Frank.
An assistant softball coach for the Bartlett team, who didn’t want to reveal his name, said all of the controversy could be because the player involved was having disagreements with coach Franks over her shoulder injury and wasn't allowed to train in the position she wanted.
Dennis Franks said he’s been kept in the dark about his termination, which is the responsibility of the Anchorage Sports Association, not the Anchorage School District
"In the termination letter it says I was terminated because of a controversy with a parent and player, I don't know what that controversy is,” said Dennis Franks.
"Anchorage Police did deliver the protective order to me and I'm abiding by that but I don't know why, I don't know what it's about.” Said Dennis Franks. “There's a hearing set for later this month and we'll discuss that then.”
Anchorage School District (ASD) spokesperson Heidi Embley said the ASD staff, from Bartlett High School, and the Anchorage Sports Association met with Franks several times prior to this week to discuss concerns regarding appropriate behavior towards students and their parents.
Dennis Franks maintains no meetings regarding the player and her mother have taken place.
The Anchorage Sports Association had no comment Friday other than to say Franks has been relieved permanently of all coaching duties.
Franks has been a coach for 17 years and this would've been his third season at Bartlett.
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Sports Mom said on Friday, Mar 2 at 8:58 AM
Checked out Court View as you suggested Anonymous. Nothing about charges being alleged. Did say no long term order given. Definitely nothing saying former Coach Franks told the truth or about him being falsely accused or fired for no reason. Just case closed. Concerned former Coach Franks has a few orders against him before though and being a mom of kids in the sports programs concerns me regardless of the their outcome.
82824171Marshall said on Friday, Mar 2 at 4:59 AM
All charges dropped. No long term order given. Supposedly Mr. Franks told the truth, that is still in question to me. How many victims have had the same results and only after a tradgedy happened ruling proved wrong. Those of you who, for whatever reasons, want this guy back as a coach (now) should get off this horse your riding and start going on a new path. By the way, I don't think he could be classed as fired as he wasn't an employee. And if he himself doesn't know the reason why he was let go why would you want him back without knowing the reason?
82797944brianna said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 11:58 PM
Just because the long term order wasn't granted doesn't mean she lied. I had a situation with a drunk ex who physically assaulted me and our infant son. The short term order was granted, but the long term order was denied all because he lied at the hearing. The system is severely flawed and fails to protect people all the time. I hope that girl is ok. She is incredibly brave for going on the stand that in front of him and everyone else. No one puts themselves through all of that turmoil and stress for no reason.
82787524Anonymous said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 11:52 PM
As a victim of of violence and one who's restraining order case was dismissed as well, I can say that just because a case was dismissed doesn't mean that the victim was lying and the defendant was telling the truth. As one person posted, we do not know what happened in that courtroom and why the judge decided what they did. There may be a reason, such as in my case where the law didn't cover a specific topic or maybe the evidence if any was inadmissible for some reason. Either way, in this case, this is a child that you all are talking about and there has to be some decency and respect shown for her. It seems that everyone especially the coach and his supporters have no concern for the child's well being and what she may be going through. Unless you were sitting in the courtroom or have a transcript, you have absolutely no idea what happened or what the judge's remarks may have been. So everyone needs to remember this is a CHILD and leave her and her family be.
82787281Anthony said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 11:48 PM
Anonymous 2 and Concerned Citizen is D.F. What kind of adult would drag a child through the mud like this? Going on tv, contacting the media, spamming multiple facebook pages, all to get a volunteer position back is the absolute worst way to do it and only makes him look bad. I've never seen anything so appalling. The girl and her family have shown so much class through all of this.
82787182Anonymous said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 10:13 PM
Check out Court View....All alleged charges dropped and no long term order given, in other words Coach Franks was telling the truth and was falsely accused and fired for NO REASON. We want Coach Franks and his staff back at Bartlett now.
82783054Just Curious said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 9:22 AM
Anonymous 2..Is this you D.F.? Who else would have all this info of a hearing? If so, what does this family have on you that would obscess you to have such a vile attitude towards them? Particularly this young girl. As some statements were made, your involvement with the girls softball team is nothing less than enjoying coaching and the welfare of these girls. If so sir could you explain why you haven't defended this girl who has had nothing but negative opinions by your friends given of her? Are you suggesting to these people that she had you fired? If that's the case what was done to her that was deemed necessary for this action to be taken, hmmmm, that you haven't spoken of. Since you don't supposedly know shouldn't you be protecting her from all this negativity? One with some brain activity would think so.
82709924Anonymous 3 said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 8:13 AM
Anonymous 2 whoever you are you seem to have some issues or as A reader between the lines stated you have soemthing to gain, to go on a public forum and slander a minor... really who does that? When this child and her family have not made one public statment concerning this issue, so we the public don't know their side of the story. From perosnal expierence just because a case is dismissed does not mean the act did not happen. According to Anonymous 2 this girl testified in court and should be commended for having the courage to stand up for herself and not be accused by you of needing help, you sir/ma'am are as a reader between the lines said are sick.
82701904A reader between the lines said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 7:35 AM
Are some of you people ignorant or just plain stupid? #1 Mr. Franks has said he didn't know what the controversy was about in regards to his firing so where do some of you people get off blaming a young girl because you think she had softball issues? #2 I didn't see anything reported recently where the family in question had a hearing where they could commit perjury. News people if this is so, lets get a copy of the transcript and get the other side of the story along with the judges final statements. Could it be that you all with negative opinions have inside information and might even be related or have something to gain? And finally, please Anonymous 2 "She", the young girl, as you referred to her, didn't damage anyones reputation on lies, but you have......Shame, Shame..............Oh yes, you might want to knock it off about the tax payer commit in a case like this that's a bit lame even for someone like you.......
82697383Anonymous 2 said on Wednesday, Feb 29 at 11:41 PM
As you can see by the court decision today - all charges have been dropped as well as the police report never filed. Evidently, this child has to learn to tell the truth instead of making up lies so she can get her way. There are some issues with this girl. The child and parents all need psychological help and I am sure if they would look into prior issues with this family - you will see a track record. This family, with the false accusations, need to have charges brought against them for making a false police report, perjury, let alone a bill for wasting the tax payers money. These false reports hurt others that have the real issues. She has damaged a person reputation on lies. There needs to be some penalties here for this young lady. I hope this family sees what a kind of child they have on their hands and get her some help! Otherwise, we tax payers will be dealing with her again in the future.
82671346Anonymous said on Sunday, Feb 26 at 11:31 AM
Has anyone even bothered to ask the girl and her family who were involved in this "controversy" their side of the story. Or has anyone even bothered to ask if the girl is okay?
82321074anonymous said on Saturday, Feb 25 at 11:27 PM
Why not ask the rest of the girls from Bartlett how they feel about this situation...My daughter respects Dennis and was happy to have been on his team.All I can say is you can't believe everything you hear about someone who is clearly innocent.Thank you Dennis for all your hard work and God Bless you!!
82289072Concerned Citizen said on Friday, Feb 24 at 1:44 PM
Anonymous said today at 9:02 AM If you were fired would you want to know why? If you are accused of something would you want to know why? These are the questions that Mr. Franks is trying to get answered. Mr. Franks puts in 50-6- hours a week in this "volunteer" position. With that said it appears he loves this sport as well as the opportunity to work with kids, keep them off the streets and make every attempt to get them college scholarships - do you do this? Give the man his due process, volunteer position or not. One complaint shouldn't get one fired.
82189414Anonymous said on Friday, Feb 24 at 10:02 AM
This is perhaps the stupidest and most ridiculous thing that I have ever heard. You are sitting there complaining (like a baby) about a volunteer position. Get over it! What's done is done. Move on!
82164694Concerned Citizen said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 3:26 PM
Response to....anonymous said yesterday at 1:59 AM If someone made one complaint against you, you would be upset as well. I can see that Mr. Franks simply want to know why he was "fired". He apparently has never had meetings with ASD or Bartlett Officials as he has stated numerous times. If all it takes is one complaint to get someone fired no one would hold a job for very long. I am sure you have had complaints against you in your job but I am also sure you still have your job. This is a volunteer position and this man puts in 40-60 hours of his time every week so that the kids of the community can play softball and not be on the streets. More people should volunteer their time instead of complaining like you are.
82066092Concerned Citizen said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 3:22 PM
Response to Jordan B. If you look at the alleged domestic violence complaints filed back then you will easily see that were done by an ex-wife and ALL of them have been denied and dropped. Complaints like that happen all the time during ugly divorces, it doesn't mean he is guilty at all. Please do your research before you run off at the mouth and make yourself look like a fool.
82065684Anonymous said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 11:16 AM
I truly believe Dennis didnt do it. So people who are saying he DID dont even know the whole story..... and to the person who said GET OVER IT, ITS JUST A VOLUNTEERED POSITION needs to be quite first of all he is clearing his name because he knows for a FACT that he didnt do it ans second of all who are you to tell him to get over it........ i dont see you doin anything to help this situation out AND LASTLY to the person who said that somethings wrong because he is doing it for free......... is there really something wrong or your just blowing it way out of porportion what wrong with the world now a days just because some man volunteers for a job that he loves its WRONG smh all you guys need to grow up
82042903anonymous said on Wednesday, Feb 22 at 5:59 PM
Dennis, Dennis, Dennis. Between your Facebook rants (that only you respond to) and your harassing of the local media, I feel like I am watching a three year old on his back kicking and screaming in a grocery store. Get over it. It's a volunteer position and you have been unvolunteered.
81974184Jordan B. said on Tuesday, Feb 21 at 9:58 PM
Check AK Court View. The guy has had a couple of domestic violence restraining orders on him in the past. He was also a volunteer for the team. Not a paid employee. Something's not right about this guy.
81877291Bartlett ALUM said on Monday, Feb 20 at 11:19 AM
Sounds like a typical case of someone's daughter not good enough and instead of practicing, it's easier to have mommy get the coach fired.
81729692Evonne said on Sunday, Feb 19 at 9:44 PM
Bartlett has long standing of legal issues.Just maybe someone should look into all the issues Bartlett has with staff and students.I'm set to go to trail with ASD for what happen to my daughter at Bartlett
81678503New ASD said on Saturday, Feb 18 at 11:57 PM
Are you blaming the School District for not teaching you how to write? I wonder what the odds are that you preach personal responsibility out of the other side of your mouth.
81608714Anonymous said on Saturday, Feb 18 at 11:29 PM
And that conspiracy surprises anyone?Really?If the coach is being railroaded...then file a complaint with the Dept of Education I Seattle...sooner the better...and prior students can get a Notorized letter to give a characters statement...example is while I was on the team...and include disciplineactions or reprimands the coach gave students...it will serve well I court...
81608141Anonymous said on Saturday, Feb 18 at 7:39 PM
Interesting. AK court view states that it was stalking.
81601072Old Anc School Dist student said on Saturday, Feb 18 at 11:44 AM
What a joke.Guess the parents have pull in all the right places.Alaska where pull beats right every time.Great job of teaching kids Anc scrool dist.Come to school and learn to be crooked.
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