Rootstown will keep its popular soccer coach following emotional appeal from players and parents

Members of the Rootstown girls soccer team attended the school board meeting May 16, 2022, to support the extension of their coach’s contract. Owen MacMillan/The Portager

Rootstown will keep its popular soccer coach following emotional appeal from players and parents

- Owen MacMillan

Members of the Rootstown High School girls soccer team were in tears Monday night asking the Rootstown Board of Education to extend the contract of their head coach, Jason Opritza.

“I’m coming to you guys as a previous captain of the Rootstown soccer team to ask the question of why Jason is not having his contract renewed,” said junior Carlee Clifford. “When I was told Jason wouldn’t have his contract renewed, I’ll be honest, I cried.”

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