Update: Since the publication of this post, Benet Academy has reoffered the job to Amanda Kammes, who has accepted the position.
Benet Academy, located in Lisle, Illinois, retracted a job offer as the school’s girls lacrosse coach after learning the candidate is gay.
Amanda Kammes, an alum of Benet Academy and head girls varsity lacrosse coach at Montini Catholic High School in Lomband, Illinois, was offered the same position at her alma mater. All of her paperwork and background check had been approved by the principal before it was noticed that her wife’s name was listed as Kammes’ emergency contact.
That discovery led to Benet Academy withdrawing the job offer.
At first, Kammes was given no reason or explanation for why she wouldn’t be the school’s next coach. She reached out to Benet Academy multiple times looking for answers but been given little, according to Facebook posts by Colleen Savell, the assistant girls varsity lacrosse coach at Benet.
“Amanda and her parents have reached out numerous times to the school to request more information about why her employment was rescinded, but Amanda was sent a template email letting her know that she has been rejected from the job,” Savell wrote. “Amanda has tried reaching out to the head of school many times to figure out why she was rejected from the job and she has received silence.”
In a statement, the institution said it aims to employ people who reflect the school’s Christian values. This provoked anger from alumni, parents, and students questioning the school’s decision and leadership. An online letter condemning the actions taken by the school during this process has more than 1,100 signatures.
The institution released a statement that aimed to employ people who reflect the school’s Christian values.
“Benet Academy respects the dignity of all human beings to follow their conscience and live lives of their choosing,” the school said in the statement. “Likewise, as a Catholic school, we employ individuals whose lives manifest the essential teachings of the Church in order to provide the education and faith formation of the young people entrusted to our care.”
“The institution released a statement they aim to employ people who reflect their Catholic values. We were shocked that love and acceptance and inclusion were not some of those values,” Tim Jacklish, whose family has many deep connections to the school, told Joanie Lum of FOX32 Chicago. “She is an eminently qualified coach, well-regarded in the community. They would have welcomed her on the team, and it was just the fact of her being married to a woman she loves.”
Benet Academy has not yet released a follow-up statement related to the Monday protest.
Kammes has been a member of the lacrosse community for more than a decade at both the high school and collegiate levels and in both Pennsylvania and California. She also has experience coaching basketball, serving as an assistant at Penn, her alma mater, and at American University.
Now for the other lacrosse news from the week of Sept. 14-20, 2021.
Last Week In Lacrosse
The Chaos took down the Whipsnakes, 14-9, to win the 2021 PLL Championship. League MVP Blaze Riorden had a dominate performance between the pipes, finishing the game with a 63% save percentage. This officially wraps up the third season of the Premier Lacrosse League.
Paul Rabil announced his retirement last week after a 14-year career. After a dominant 2021 performance, the founder of the PLL decided it was time to hang up the cleats.
The IBLA Championship was held over the weekend at the RP Funding Center in Florida. The Seneca Marksmen were crowned champions after a perfect undefeated season in their inaugural year.
Sports Illustrated wrote an article on Lyle Thompson and his thoughts on the 200-plus indigenous children whose unmarked graves have been discovered last month.
The Albany Firewolves unveiled new uniforms today. This is the Firewolves first season in Albany after being relocated from New England.
Utah men’s lacrosse named Sean Doyle as its new assistant coach. The Utah Utes currently have an all-new coaching staff after Andrew McMinn took over as head coach last month.
The Detroit Lions have activated former professional lacrosse player Tom Kennedy to its active roster. Kennedy was selected 26th overall in the 2018 MLL draft and scored 20 goals and 11 assists in his rookie year.
Get Caught Up on LAS Content
Miss what we did from the last seven days? Here’s a collection of some of what we’ve had on the site over the last week.
CHAOS LACROSSE CLUB WINS 2021 PLL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Going Offsides Crew analyzed the PLL championship game, discussed the upcoming NLL season, and even got to chat with Chaos midfielder and Buffalo Bandit Dhane Smith about how everything came together.
FORTY-FOUR PLAYERS NAMED TO 2021 USA SELECT U16 & U18 TEAMS
Forty-four of the nation’s top high school boys’ lacrosse players have been named to the 2021 USA Select U16 and U18 teams.
FIVE BEST PRO LACROSSE JERSEYS OF THE LAST FEW YEARS
Tucker La Belle ranked his top-five professional lacrosse jerseys from recent years.
PAUL RABIL RETIRES: MARKING HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GAME
Veteran writer Nick Zoroya took the time to break down the major contributions Paul Rabil has made on the sport of lacrosse.
PAUL RABIL’S TOP 9 GREATEST MOMENTS
Nick Pietras took a dive down memory lane to reminisce on Paul Rabil’s 9 greatest moments from his career.
