Sisters lacrosse coach resigns after parents complain

As directed by the Deschutes County district attorney,the Sisters Parks and Recreation District has released records about one of the Outlaws lacrosse program’s coaches. They show disturbing complaints from parents about Andrew Gorayeb, also the Sisters city manager.

In the records, parents paint an ugly picture of the culture created by Gorayeb. Many of them say their complaints fell on “deaf ears” at the SPRD.

Over the past two years, several parents have filed formal complaints about Gorayeb who has been a part of the program for eight years.

The complaints released go back to 2013, when parent said at the Sisters Annual Lacrosse Invitational Tournament, or SALI, Gorayeb called his or her son a “Sh—y goalie.” The son said if he responded or “shows any emotion, I’ll be degraded more.”

In June of this year, more complaints started rolling in. One parent said, “The nature of the allegations span from relatively minor to extremely serious sexual harassment.”

In one case, parents say Gorayeb said to a player, “one day I’ll see you behind bars.” In another sitation they say he pinned a young man and said, “when I tell you to (expletive) do something, you (expletive) do it.”

The reports go on: One time, parents say Gorayeb made fun of a player for his sunglasses until he took them off. After that, parents say he said “Has your son come out of the closet yet?”

Aside from alleged emotional abuse, parents say he put their sons in physical danger as well. They say Gorayeb drove some of the players home and was pulled over, clocked going 90 mph, then bragged about it afterwards.

NewsChannel 21 obtained a phone conversation between parents and SPRD Executive Director Liam Hughes. The parents gave NewsChannel 21 permission to use the recording and told Hughes he was being recorded, to which he consented.

During the conversation, Hughes spoke to the parents about Gorayeb.

“So it sounds like your representing Andrew. I’m very confused by this,” the parent said.

Hughes said that wasn’t the case.

“No, I’m basically acting as a go-between here, because I’m the most logical person to do it.,” Hughes said.

The parents asked that Gorayeb step down as lacrosse coach and sole member of the lacrosse committee.

“Andrew will be pursuing legal action against you,” Hughes said. “He’s coming out swinging.”

Gorayeb threatened to sue the families for their written statements. He said he would not do so, if they withdrew them. The families asked that he step down as coach. Gorayeb said if they withdrew the statements, he would do so.

“If the accusation is withdrawn, then everyone walks away and never talks about it again. That is Andrew’s desired outcome,” Hughes said.

To which, the parent responded, “I’m sure it is.”

That parent said he expected when parents told the school district and SPRD about a problem, they had an obligation to protect the kids.

“Here at SPRD, we would obviously like this not to escalate,” Hughes said.

The records became public knowledge after District Attorney John Hummel, who is directed under state law to decide public records disputes, ordered SPRD to turn them over to a Sisters citizen who requested them, Mike Morgan.

Gorayeb has stepped down as coach.

Hughes said SPRD has taken a look at its policy and changed some things after speaking with parents.

Hummel said he will not press charges, as he does not believe Gorayeb did anything criminal.

Gorayeb did not return calls for comment from NewsChannel 21.