Niles West football players spoke in support of their coach at the District 219 school board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8 following the news of head varsity football coach Nick Torresso‘s forced leave as of Oct. 2.

At the packed board meeting, players addressed board members and described Torresso’s influence, with teammates applauding after each comment. Some players donned dress clothes, and several appeared to hold back tears. Varsity football captain Brayden Kuffel, senior, shared that Torresso made him a good football player and a better person.

“Coach Torresso has taken the time away from his own personal needs and wants just to give us the attention we need outside of football…He has taught me and my teammates to take responsibility and own up to our mistakes and to not give up when something gets hard because it will make you stronger. Nevertheless, Coach Torresso has put his all in for not just me, but every player on this team. I ask that you guys reconsider your decision,” Kuffel said.

Parents of players also made comments lauding Torresso’s coaching. Lori Baptista, mother of a varsity football player, spoke about her experience with Torresso.

“My son never played contact football before doing so at West his freshman year and I had reservations for his preparedness for those reasons. Coach Nick Torresso assured me that the program he led would help develop my son’s physical abilities, as well as to continue to uphold the values that we instill at home. I can say my son has grown in confidence and ability in many areas as a result of his focus and participation in high school sports, most notably Nick Torresso’s football program,” Baptista said.

The reason for Torresso’s leave is unknown. According to school board president Ken Durr, who gave a rare response at the conclusion of the public comment period, neither board members nor members of district administration can speak on the situation.

“We recognize the concern and we hear you. No decision is being made now and when personnel matters are raised, we can’t speak to an ongoing investigation. This [leave] process is a safeguard, first and foremost to protect the interest of our students. We ask that you continue to be patient as this process unfolds, but no decision is being made now. We appreciate your advocacy, your testimonies and your concern, but at this point we cannot speak to an ongoing investigation,” Durr said.

Players and other supporters lingered during a brief recess after the public comment period, including varsity players Armin Kolar, junior, and Alex Hernandez, senior, who believe that it is unfair to remove him mid-season.

“I don’t think it’s fair how he’s being treated. He’s done so much for us outside of football and the way he’s turned around this program, he’s being treated unfairly…Hopefully, [board members] are going to see how much we really care about him,” Kolar said.

West social studies teacher and alum Daniel Kosiba attended the meeting in support of Torresso, his colleague and friend. The two previously coached football together outside of Niles West.

“As someone who played football here, coached with Coach Torresso here, taught with Coach Torresso, it’s so important to show up for the people who love you. Even if it doesn’t change other people’s minds, they can see that you love and care about them,” Kosiba said.

This is the second consecutive board meeting at which the board heard about Torresso. Tammy Caballero, mother of a sophomore football player, spoke at the board meeting on Sep. 10 about her son’s experience with West football during the summer of 2024. Her son was injured and had surgery in late February. On July 3, he re-injured his ankle at football practice, and according to Caballero, Torresso assigned him to participate in a drill even though West athletic trainers had not cleared him.

“[My son] didn’t have his pads because he hadn’t been there because he wasn’t cleared to be there…A couple other students witnessed this and brought him water and also asked the coaches, Torresso was there and a couple other coaches, if he could please do something else. [The coaches] started to make fun of my son and call him ‘ankle.’ They told him to stop feeling sorry for himself,” Caballero said.

Caballero also mentioned having brought her complaints to the West athletic director, Dana Krilich as well as West Principal Jeremy Christian.

“Many people fear Torresso,” Caballero said.

Varsity football will play next at their homecoming game against Maine West on Friday, Oct. 18.