CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Following a state championship win, parents say United Faith Christian Academy cut the men’s basketball program too late for their children to transfer without penalty.
“This is valuable time right here. This is very very critical time right here. This is senior year. You don’t get this year back,” said United Faith Christian Academy father Brian McLaughlin. “[My son] wants to go to college on a basketball scholarship.”
McLaughlin’s son spent the summer training for the upcoming season that ended on a high note.
“He had two offers from colleges and his dreams are just coming true,” said McLaughlin of his son.
But after the school year began, they learned there would not be a men’s basketball team.
After many back and forth discussions, the school said McLaughlin’s son could transfer to another school if the family paid a $1,000 withdrawal fee and 50 percent of the semester tuition totaling to nearly $7,000.
The family said they feel they should not be required to pay.
“It’s insane! It’s absolutely insane!” said McLaughlin, “This is a situation where I feel like this is a breach of contract because the contract we signed had three components: faith, academia, and athletics…I have an 18-year-old son whose high school senior year is in jeopardy…Somebody’s heart has to be changed and say, you know, ‘This isn’t right. Let’s just let these people do what we need to do to do what’s in the best interest of their children.’”
The school responded to WBTV’s questions about the program and fees Friday with a statement.
The statement said in part that the reason there wasn’t a basketball team was because the basketball coach “was not in alignment with the school’s leadership” and that “he chose not to continue his employment with the school within these parameters.”
United Faith Christian School also said in their statement that they are “committed to rebuilding all of their sports programs” and “deeply regret that the changes with the basketball program have caused some families to choose to leave.”
The school did not respond to WBTV’s request for the policy that would require the family to pay 50 percent of the semester’s tuition to receive their transcript and leave the school.
You can read the full statement below:
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