COPPERAS COVE, Texas (KXXV) — The Velikaneye family of Copperas Cove is on a mission to hold Copperas Cove ISD accountable after their son, Lane Velikaneye, decided to leave the high school football team on August 29.
He allegedly encountered physical intimidation and profanity usage from head football coach, Tony Johnson.
Allegedly other Copperas Cove ISD parents have been calling the University of Iowa — Lane's dream school and where the Velikaneyes moved from to Copperas Cove — to discourage the football team from recruiting Lane.
Lane’s father, Daniel Velikaneye, expressed his frustration over the school's handling of his son's decision.
“Here’s the thing — he was trying to walk away. All the football aside, he was done with it," Daniel said.
"They could have just let him leave, but that wasn’t good enough for them. They had to cuss him out, break him down, belittle him, corner him, to the point where other coaches felt that they had to stop it."
Cove Assistant Coach Easton Simpson intervened, and the district's investigation report reveals that he informed parents and Copperas Cove Superintendent Dr. Joe Burns that he "did not think" Lane should be addressed in the manner Coach Johnson addressed him.
The district issued a statement, and after refusing an on-camera interview, gave a statement saying they do not condone inappropriate language and investigate such claims to ensure a positive learning environment.
Nonetheless, the Velikaneye family remains dissatisfied — despite their frustrations, Lane’s parents are not giving up.
“I’m not throwing my hands up — I’m going to fight until the end to get the justice that he deserves, because he didn’t deserve what happened to him,” said Melissa Velikaneye, Lane’s mother.
Daniel echoed her sentiments.
“They know that things happened — they’re just not willing to step up and do things about it."
