For seventeen years, Eric Ramirez has been the Lady Hawks Varsity Soccer coach at Hebron High School. In the past 17 years, he has fostered a women's soccer program that prides itself on respect, hard work, and dedication. Whether it was leading his players to a State championship or being asked to serve as the minister for their weddings, Coach Ramirez has created a strong family of players and alumni who have flourished with his mentorship. 

This past December, right before Christmas, Coach Ramirez was removed as the head soccer coach for Hebron High School after being accused of allowing an incident of hazing on his team. The alleged "hazing" was an initiation tradition that has taken place for years, allowing older girls to bond with new team members. Each year the older players blindfold and take the new players to a late night breakfast at either iHop or another player's house, and the event is a memorable way to begin their team bonding prior to the start of the new season. Coach Ramirez, while aware that this is a tradition on the team, does not himself organize or attend any of the bonding events organized by senior players or their parents. What was once a loving tradition, has now become painted as an incident of hazing. 

Coach Ramirez was not only removed from Hebron High School by LISD but his character, morality, and reputation as a coach and educator were drawn into question and used as a basis for removal. The district not only provided comments in news articles such as USA Today and The Dallas Morning News, but did so without Coach Ramirez's knowledge or a true resolution to the allegations made and consequences to follow. Coach Ramirez is appealing through the district to clear his name and prove that the program he has successfully run and grown for the past seventeen years is built on the foundations of his faith, his respect for his players, and his belief in their futures. 

Please sign this petition as a sign of your trust in Coach Ramirez's character, your support of his role as a mentor, community leader, and cornerstone of Hebron High School.