This story contains graphic language and details related to multiple indecent sexual assaults.
The following article contains emails and information obtained from the Williamsport Area School District through the PA Right-to-Know Law.
By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com
News@TalkWilliamsport.com
Why did WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe wait 12 days after the Childline call was made in May 2018 to open an investigation into what WASD Solicitor Fred Holland characterized as “indecent and inappropriate behavior”?
The incident in Myrtle beach during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip was later confirmed by Lycoming County District Attorney to be “criminal sexual misconduct” of which ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was charged for.
As Brandon Pardoe said in part in an email sent on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 2:24 PM to then WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller and copied to WASD Athletic Director Sean McCann with the Subject: Stryker and the no trespass letter attached;
“Ryan,
Thank you for your patience as we went through the proper channels
to hopefully curtail this unacceptable behavior.”
What does Pardoe mean when he says “we went through the proper channels”?
Is this not standard procedure in the Williamsport Area School District?
Based on the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro investigation of the WASD handling of the Myrtle Beach incident; it appears going “through the proper channels” is not standard procedure.
Ryan Miller resigned as WAHS head baseball coach on Friday, April 20, 2018, citing family reasons as noted in this story and exactly 14 days from the “No Trespass” letter SRO Jordan Stoltzfus hand delivered to Ricky Stryker.
Let us now explore the less than 72-hour window of time the WASD dealt with the perceived Ricky Stryker threat.
From: Ryan Miller
Date: April 3, 2018 at 3:04:54 PM EDT
To: Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>, Brandon Pardoe <bpardoe@wasd.org>
Cc: jstolzf@wasd.org
Subject: Ricky Stryker situation
“Dear Brandon and Sean,
I would like to thank you Dr. Pardoe for your immediate response to my concerns upon arriving home from Myrtle Beach, as well as you taking the initiative to meet with Mr. Stryker on your own time. It is greatly appreciated by myself and the coaching staff.
I attached SRO Stoltzfus to this email for elaboration on the Ricky Stryker situation. First off, SRO Stoltzfus, I want to thank you for your attention to this issue.
I understand that all three of you will be involved in the outcome of this issue therefore I wanted all of you to know where the WSD coaching staff and I stand.
Due to Ricky Stryker’s past aggressive actions towards the baseball coaching staff and recent personal threats towards myself I believe it is extremely important for him to be swiftly banned from all WSD events home or away.
This issue has been discussed amongst all coaches and we as a baseball staff, WSD representatives, and protectors of our athletes do not need the distraction, nor the fear of being approached physically by a known aggressive problem maker.
For an individual who approached coaches in the past and threatens them via social media the coaching staff and I do not believe simply telling him he can’t be there will be enough. Although his father has been supportive, his father has advised him before not to conduct himself in this way and he has not listened. Therefore, simply believing someone saying he won’t be around the team or threaten us is irrelevant.
I understand there is a process that needs to take place amongst administrators. I understand I can only suggest an outcome.
As the leader of the WSD baseball team and the individual entrusted to not only run the baseball program but have our athletes best interest in mind
I felt it is important for all of you to hear this suggestion that I have presented above.
I would also like to ask the athletic department to personally discuss once again with the parents about proper conduct at sporting events and how to represent the WASD in a positive manner.
Negative comments from any parent or fan towards coaching staff and players is unacceptable and needs to be addressed immediately after the representation that was observed in Myrtle beach. If any person is considered unruly the same request will be made to have them removed permanently from sporting events. The coaching staff has been proactive in creating posters that will be displayed on the fences down at Logue and Winder Field and I would ask that the same be done on the athletic departments behalf in whatever form you see fit.
SRO Stoltzfus I also understand you may need to contact me regarding my personal safety outside of WSD related events. I will do whatever you need me to do to get this handled. I appreciate everything you do and thank you.
I appreciate everyone’s time in regards to this matter.
Sincerely
Ryan Miller
Sent from my iPhone”
When then WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller said in his own words; “Due to Ricky Stryker’s past aggressive actions towards the baseball coaching staff and recent personal threats towards myself I believe it is extremely important for him to be swiftly banned from all WSD events home or away”; does the same standard apply to “indecent and inappropriate behavior” and “criminal sexual misconduct” of which ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 committed on another teammate during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach?
Does the same standard apply to ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 since Miller said; “This issue has been discussed amongst all coaches and we as a baseball staff, WSD representatives, and protectors of our athletes do not need the distraction, nor the fear of being approached physically by a known aggressive problem maker.
How does then head coach Miller have any understanding of an outcome in the Stryker matter (unless Pardoe had already determined it; again)?
“I understand there is a process that needs to take place amongst administrators. I understand I can only suggest an outcome.”
Miller fully accepts his responsibility as the WAHS head baseball coach; “As the leader of the WSD baseball team and the individual entrusted to not only run the baseball program but have our athletes best interest in mind.”
What about the player’s safety and well being instead of “best interest”; what does Miller even mean by saying that?
EDITOR’S NOTE: A mere 6-seconds after sending the “Subject: Ricky Stryker situation” email above; then WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller forwards the message to volunteer assistant coach Randy Zangara as noted below.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Ryan Miller
Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 3:05 PM
To: Randy Zangara
Subject: Fwd: Ricky Stryker situation
Sent from my iPhone
Former WASD administrator Randy Zangara has consistently denied any involvement in any WASD investigations.
Why would Ryan Miller forward Zangara the message and not the rest of the WASD baseball coaching staff?
Further understanding can be gleaned in “A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball” – PART II:
ZANGARA REFUSES COMMENT
As previously outlined in their responses, WASD placed Randy Zangara in Myrtle Beach at the time of the alleged incidents in March 2018.
Talk Williamsport made attempts to reach Dr. Randy Zangara to discuss the phone calls referenced in this story, Dr. Zangara offered the following e-mail response from his Penn College e-mail account: <REDACTED @pct.edu>, on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 12:43 PM
Hello Mr. Bartley,
I heard that you have both called and physically stopped by Penn College to talk with me. I am requesting that you do not contact me via phone, at work, home, or for that matter anywhere else. I presume you are wanting to ask questions about a trip that occurred in the Williamsport School District that I was not on. If in fact that is the case you must understand I will not engage in conversations pertaining to investigations I was not involved with.
Thank you Randy J. Zangara, Ed.D., Pennsylvania College of Technology
Dean of College Transitions and First Year Initiatives
Mr. Zangara in his statement says,
“I presume you are wanting to ask questions about a trip that occurred in the Williamsport School District that I was not on. If in fact that is the case you must understand I will not engage in conversations pertaining to investigations I was not involved with.”
Yet, in the WASD RTKL response to Talk Williamsport WASD does not flatly deny the request with “the records do not exist”.
10. (Erroneously numbered as 8) Notes taken by Randy Zangara during interviews with students, parents, and staff— First, it is assumed that your request seeks notes pertaining only to the alleged indecent assault of a student athlete during the baseball team’s Myrtle Beach trip. That request is denied because these records relate to a non-criminal investigation, constitute notes by a public official for his own use, and/or identify a child then aged 17 or younger or denied because the records do not exist.
WASD further offered the following with Wanda Erb in the October 8, 2019 affidavit:
8. Regarding Requestor’s sixth request, I conducted a thorough examination of files in the possession, custody and control of the Agency for records responsive to the request. This entailed contacting the Agency’s cellular phone provider and inquiring whether the text of any text message could be recovered as of the date of the request. The provider informed me that the contents of the messages could not be obtained without a court order. The provider was able to produce call and text logs for a certain time period for those district employees whose bills were paid by the district during the course of their employment, including Brandon Pardoe, Sean McCann and Randy Zangara. Further, I reviewed the text messages then existing on the phone of Brandon Pardoe and Sean McCann with their existence. I found nothing responsive to the request.
When asked if I could conduct a similar review with Mr. Randy Zangara.
Mr. Zangara declined.
Penn College currently employs Randy Zangara as Dean of College Transitions and First Year Initiatives. Zangara was formerly the career and technical education director for the WASD.
HEAD COACH RYAN MILLER RESIGNS CITING FAMILY REASONS
A number of fact witnesses have shared with Talk Williamsport that Head Coach Ryan Miller along with then volunteer statistician Randy Zangara showed up for the night game on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 as Holy Redeemer played Williamsport at Bowman Field – heavily intoxicated.
Fact witnesses stated that the brother of Ryan Miller was so disgusted with the situation, he left. Fact witnesses also stated Zangara blamed it on a bad reaction to cough syrup.
Ryan Miller & Randy Zangara had 15 phone calls with each other the next day on Thursday, April 19, 2018 beginning at 7:13 a.m. through 6:46 p.m. totaling more than 90 minutes.
The brother of Ryan Miller had multiple phone conversations with Randy Zangara the same day.
Brandon Pardoe & Randy Zangara had a phone call Friday, April 20, 2018 at 3:20 p.m. and at 3:55 p.m. later that same day Zangara received a call from Ryan Miller lasting 4 minutes.
Ryan Miller submitted a typed and signed letter of resignation to WASD on Friday, April 20, 2018 citing family reasons.
The WASD School Board accepted the resignation of Ryan Miller on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
WAHS head principal makes a Request on Thursday, April 05, 2018 at 3:40 PM as noted below:
From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 3:40 PM
To: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>; Richard Poole <rpoole@wasd.org>
Cc: Susan A. Neidig <sneidig@wasd.org>; Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>; Ryan Miller; Jordan Stoltzfus <jstoltzf@wasd.org>
Subject: Request
“Dr. Bowers and Dr. Poole:
I am writing to express my concern over the attached “FB Direct Message” that was sent to our head baseball coach at WAHS, Mr. Ryan Miller from Ricky Stryker. Ricky Stryker has two younger brothers on the team who are integral to the success of the team. Ricky Stryker sent this message to Coach Miller while the team was on their annual trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. Ricky Stryker was not present at the tournament in Myrtle Beach. Ricky Stryker verbally attacked the coaching staff last year at a district playoff game at Bucknell University. Also, Ricky Stryker is well known by the WBP for his actions in the community. It is my recommendation that we do not permit Ricky Stryker to attend WAHS baseball games as a spectator as he would be a distraction for the players, coaching staff, fans, and community. The innuendos and language used by Ricky Stryker is not a reflection of the program or school that we want to permit. This request is being made for the protection of our student athletes and school employees. I have been in touch with Ricky Stryker’s father, Rick Stryker, Sr. who is appalled with this message that his 36 year old son sent to the coach of his younger son on the team. He is aware of the request. Any assistance by using Mr. Holland, WASD Solicitor, to notify Mr. Stryker would be a proactive measure to avoid a possible conflict at an upcoming competition.
Thank you for your consideration in protecting our students and employees. If I can provide you with any further information about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Brandon Pardoe
WAHS Head Principal”
Based on the information provided in the WASD email exchanges the Ricky Stryker Message was sent Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 9:16 a.m. and was liked by Stryker at 4:21 p.m. the same day and reads as follows:
Look you better get your fucking shit together iMessage you personally because I don’t like the way you;re fucking dealing with shit if you fuck up both my little brothers chances at college there’s gonna be a big fucking problem between me and you and when I see you I will approach you you’re a fucking horrible coach dude if you have anything to say don’t go to my mom don’t go to my dad you come to fucking me understand
From: Timothy Bowers [mailto:tbowers@wasd.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 3:49 PM
To: Fred Holland <fholland@mbhlaw.com>
Subject: FW: Request
“Hi Fred,
Would you please review and let me know your thoughts?
Tim”
Dr. Timothy S. Bowers
Superintendent of Schools
Williamsport Area School District
From: Fred Holland [mailto:fholland@mbhlaw.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 4:00 PM
To: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>
Subject: RE: Request
“Hi Tim,
I think I should send him a no trespass letter.
Do we know his address?
The last few letters, Jordan has hand delivered. That might also be worthwhile for this one, if he’s willing.
If you want me to send a letter, get me the address, and I’ll get it out, for hand delivery by Jordan, or by certified mail.
If you want to talk it through, please call.
Best,
Fred”
Fred A. Holland
Murphy, Butterfield, & Holland, P.C.
442 William Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
Ph: 570-326-6505 Fax: 570-326-0437
From: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 5:01 PM
To: Brandon Pardoe <bpardoe@wasd.org>
Subject: FW: Request
“Can you get me his address?”
Dr. Timothy S. Bowers
Superintendent of Schools
Williamsport Area School District
From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:19 PM
To: Jordan Stoltzfus
Subject: FW: Request
“Jordan,
Can you get me an address for Ricky Stryker?
Brandon”
From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:19 PM
To: Timothy Bowers
Subject: Re: Request
“I will request from Jordan and he mentioned that he is willing to hand deliver.”
>‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
>From: Brandon Pardoe
>Sent: Friday, April 06, 2018 2:24 PM
>To: Ryan Miller
>Cc: Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>
>Subject: Stryker
>
>Ryan,
>
>Attached is the copy of the letter that Fred Holland, WASD Solicitor, composed to send to Ricky Stryker. Officer
Stoltzfus is going to hand deliver and we will mail a copy to him via US Mail.
>
>It is imperative that regardless as to what he may post or attempt to provoke you that you do not respond. I have spoken to both of Ricky’s parents and informed them of our course of action as a district. We will continue to support you and the coaching staff. Thank you for your patience as we went through the proper channels to hopefully curtail this unacceptable behavior.
>
>If anything else arises, please do not hesitate to bring it to my attention.
>
>Brandon Pardoe
>WAHS Head Principal
Holland Letter to Stryker 4-6-18 banning him from campus facilities dated April 6, 2018.
On 4/6/18, 2:35 PM, “Sean McCann” <smccann@wasd.org> wrote:
>I know it’s verbiage, but Fred’s letter states that he cannot be on any property owned by WASD, we don’t own Logue Field, we lease it, does that matter?
From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Friday, April 6, 2018 2:42 PM
To: Sean McCann
Subject: Re: Stryker
no
Lingering questions remain after the WASD Right-to-Know Law disclosures; why if WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe was aware of Stryker’s bad behavior a year earlier, why did it fall to Ryan Miller to suggest a ban from WASD property?
If Randy Zangara has nothing to do with anything related to “investigations” is Ryan Miller sending him a narrative email with granular details?
Why is the public perception from outside the WASD that situational outcomes are pre-determined based on race and socio-economic status?
Why after almost three plus years of Right-to-Know Law requests and WASD disclosures; Ryan Miller and the rest of the WAHS baseball coaching staff is unable to share which hotels and what room numbers they stayed in?
Has the WASD decided to now use former WAHS head baseball coach Ryan Miller as the scapegoat for the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip where “criminal sexual misconduct” occurred and ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 has been recently charged?
How is Ricky Stryker banned from the WASD with no crime of a sexual nature against a child and not on any “lists”; and yet other community members are giving unlimited access to campus without submitting to background checks?
Or is it just another pre-determined WASD outcome?
Is it any wonder why WASD school board members are resigning for any reason they find suitable?
This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.
“The Beginning of the End” – is forthcoming.
