Petrides to Remain MHS Boys Soccer Coach

Medford High School Boys Soccer Coach Mike Petrides will return in the fall, according to an announcement Saturday morning by school officials. MHS Headmaster Dr. Paul Krueger, Athletic Director Robert Maloney, and School Superintendent Roy Belson decided to meet this week to discuss the decision to not renew Coach Petrides’ contract after a large public outcry by soccer players, parents, alumni, and community members. Dr. Krueger, who is responsible for all high school personnel decisions, said the controversy ignited by the decision had the potential to weaken the high school’s reputation and to tear apart the community, so it was decided to retain Coach Petrides.

“In the end, this controversy would pit student against student, teacher against teacher, team against team, and neighbor against neighbor…I have chosen to hold as priorities the cohesiveness and overall long-term interests of Medford High School and of the Medford community,” said Dr. Krueger in a statement.

“Obviously we’re all very pleased with the outcome,” said Superintendent Belson.

Coach Petrides is pictured above with his wife, Marie, and boys soccer captains Gilbert Simas, Jonathan Pires, and Manny Gonzalez at Medford City Hall on Saturday morning.

– InsideMedford.com