“We don’t condone that type of behavior,” said Sander who was a former high school coach. “I’m very glad that 14-year-old young man had the courage to tell his parents about this.”
Bart Freidenberg, a prominent Ohio AAU wrestling coach, was charged by Franklin police on Friday with child endangerment and hazing. both misdemeanor offenses, in connection with 2018 the training camp held at Franklin High School.
Sander said the Franklin district has not had any incidents among its student-athletes and teams “because people know its not tolerated and they don’t do it.”
“When parents send their kids to athletic or academic camps to improve themselves, they should feel their child is safe and that they’re not exposed to that type of behavior,” he said. “Coaches are supposed to be role models.”
Sander also praised the work of Franklin police detectives for their investigation.
Freidenberg, 58, of Pickerington, declined to comment when contacted by this news outlet on the advice of his attorney, Mark Minister of Mount Gilead. Minister said he has not connected with Franklin court officials saying “the situation is fluid.”
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