LTCC puts men’s soccer coach on paid leave
By Kathryn Reed
Lake Tahoe Community College has placed the men’s soccer coach on paid administrative leave.
Ben Wade was escorted off campus on Nov. 5 after a meeting with the director of human resources and dean of students.
Ben Wade
“There is absolutely no cause to let me go at this time in the season,” Wade told Lake Tahoe News. “I have never seen a coach let go unless he has stolen money from the college or something egregious. I stand by my actions. I’ve been sorely misrepresented by players I have cut or disciplined. I have not been asked for my side of the story.”
LTCC President Kindred Murillo had no comment other than to say, “Nick Arbelaez has been named as the Lake Tahoe Community College head coach.” Arbelaez had been the assistant coach for the men’s team.
Athletic Director Mike Spina would not comment on the issue and would not say if he had anything to do with the decision.
Wade has five days to respond in writing to the actions taken on Thursday, which he told Lake Tahoe News he intends to do. The paid administrative leave is in effect until Nov. 30.
Besides being the coach, Wade is director of Outreach and Equity for LTCC, and teaches music and soccer. The director job has him reaching out to the Hispanic community and international students — two areas of enrollment that have increased since his hire.
Wade said he isn’t worried about his future, but he is concerned about that of his players. Last year all the LTCC men’s sophomore soccer players were placed at a four-year college. He is no longer in a position to help players on this team with future goals.
He said he received text messages last night from all the players showing support and saying they would be talking to the college administration.
When the South Lake Tahoe two-year college started the soccer program two years ago Wade was recruited because of his ability to put together a winning team as well as his ability to bring students into the program.
This year’s team is 12-4-2 overall, and in league is 5-1-1. Two games remain – today at College of the Redwoods and Nov. 13 at home against Shasta College. Playoffs begin Nov. 21. Last year’s team was ranked 16th in the nation. Wade is the second winningest coach at any college level.
The displaced coach believes this year’s team is a championship team. Wade hasn’t given up hope the college will allow him to return as coach and then discuss his employment after the season.
Speaking as an ex education administrator, “escorted off campus” is pretty “heavy action” anyone know what the charges are?
We are parents of an international student at ltcc and we where very shocked to hear this, at this moment we have heard nothing from the collage, and the only info has come from our son.
keeping linked to laketahoe news for any updates.
I’m gonna leave this here….draw your own conclusions. w w w . coachbenwade . c o m. Bizarre.
Seems to be a pretty serious action to take, guess we’ll be hearing more. I didn’t see anything bizarre on his website, cute family.
Seems the whole recruiting idea wasn’t LTCC best thinking. We knew something was wrong in the soccer program when they created a conditioning class (for credit) to get the team in shape. What????
I met him once…got the ‘we’re brothers cuz we’re both men’ deep-male soul bond eye-lock stare'(you know…the one’s that last so long you start to feel creeped out) accompanied by the smug ‘you know I’m cooler than all of you’ hint of a smile. I thought he was gonna try and give me a hug. Ewww.
At “Hmmmm…says”:
Thanks for your ‘valuable’ contribution to the comments. Whether Ben Wade gives off the “cooler than you” vibe, he is undoubtedly cooler than you and has actually accomplished a few things in his life. There are people with braggadocio who have accomplished little and there are confident people who have accomplished a lot (and Wade fits into the latter). After a tough loss a couple weeks ago, some players MAY have had a personal agenda which seems to be targeting the coach. I can only hope that the school and board afford him the due process and thoroughness that his tireless work ethic (should have) earned him in his efforts on behalf of LTCC soccer. Go Coyotes!
Coach Wade is an amazing coach and a great person. He is the best coach I have ever had. He changed my life. Coach Wade has been the greatest inspiration of my life. He has made me realize my full potential and that I can achieve anything if I work hard enough. I will stand by him throughout all of this.
LTCC admin wants their students and athletes to be treated so delicately. Its the “soft” approach to teaching and coaching. What happened to tough love. Coach Wade will find a job quickly.