An internal investigation by West Fargo Public Schools found that former girls hockey and softball coach, and six-time coach of the year honoree Pat Johnson intentionally cross-checked two players during a January 28 practice drill at West Fargo Sports Arena. Video footage showed Johnson using his hockey stick to push two players to the ground within 30 seconds, including one with a prior back injury. When confronted with the evidence, administrators said he would be placed on leave pending investigation, but Johnson resigned from both his hockey and softball coaching positions, saying “I’m done.” In support of their former coach, 22 West Fargo softball alumni came forward in a letter emphasizing how Johnson positively affected their time with the sport, and that this recent event did not reflect their experiences with him. The decorated coach had led teams to multiple state championships in hockey, and notably, 20 consecutive softball titles from 1997 to 2017, but the district stated he will not be offered future coaching opportunities.
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