UPDATE 10-8-2024*** MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT, MARK ANDERSON HAS RESIGNED ON HEELS OF THIS PETITION! READ STORY: Sanford Head Of School Mark Anderson Resigns Amid Recent Scandal and Controversy

UPDATES*** Some News Outlets have picked up this story!

Click: The Morning Herald Reviews & Investigates Sanford School & Mark Anderson

My daughter LOVED Basketball, and was highly (now known illegally) recruited player of the Girls' Basketball Team at Sanford School, Delaware. Due to those illicit recruitment practices, she was enticed to join the school's program. However, this dream soon turned into a nightmare filled with deception, mental abuse, and gross unfairness when I had the audacity to question the promised results that were not met, the unfair treatment of the girls, and WHY was our family lied to? Once you then make a decision to NOT sign your contract or look at other options for your child the abusive tactics go into hyperdrive. They will not only bench your child, but belittle, ostracize, and bully.

This led to a severe deterioration of her mental health, as she continued to face continuous abuse at the hands of Coach Marcus Thompson. Sadly, these injustices have been conveniently ignored by AD and School President Pat Jones and Mark Anderson, whose inaction has only contributed to the perpetuation of an extremely toxic environment.

Whats worse is that there is a pretty large number of families that emailed Mark Anderson Head of School directly with complaints. All off them were ultimately just ignored, or brushed off with no real action or any investigation. This makes Mark Anderson the most guilty, and complicit of them all by his desire for revenue and recognition for the school, over that of health and well being of his paying families, children and students.

Private schools like Sanford should pride themselves on their rigor, discipline, and character-building. Instead, we are faced with blatant inequities, unethical practices, and unheeded cries for help. It is devastating that a solid platform for fostering young talented athletes is being smeared by such unscrupulous behaviors.

While being a private institution, Sanford School is overseen by several local authorities, which include the Delaware Government, Board of Education, and the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA). It is the responsibility of these entities to ensure that all school activities - whether academic or extracurricular - operate according to set ethical standards and in the best interests of the students.

I urge these bodies to launch a comprehensive investigation into Sanford School, particularly into the troubling actions of Coach Marcus Thompson and the blatant cover-up by AD and President Pat Jones and Mark Anderson. This petition is not only for my daughter's sake, but for every potential victim who might be exposed to such ignominious practices.

Help us instill justice, equality, and integrity once more within the realms of our educational systems. Sign this petition and ensure the bright futures of our children are not blighted by such injurious experiences.