Pennsylvania Coach and Father Arrested After Altercation

A youth basketball coach from Pennsylvania and his father, aged 70, have been arrested following an altercation with the opposing team’s coach and his wife, which took place in front of their young daughter, as reported by police.

Brittany Ortiz, 38, and her father, William Stanley, faced multiple charges after a disturbing incident that erupted during a game at Holy Child School in Rosemont, a Catholic elementary institution, on February 1, according to the Lower Merion police.

Ortiz, who serves as an assistant coach for her team, reportedly became quite loud and aggressive during a game for 7- and 8-year-olds in the Malvern Basketball League, which is independent of the school. NBC10 has provided coverage of the event.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Stanley allegedly instigated a confrontation with the other team’s coach.

After the game, Ortiz continued her argument with the coach’s wife near the gym entrance, even going as far as to pull the woman’s hair and throw her to the ground, as detailed in the criminal complaint.

When the opposing coach attempted to intervene, Stanley reportedly struck Ortiz in the head. In retaliation, Ortiz aimed a kick at the coach’s groin but only connected with his inner thigh, investigators noted.

This altercation reportedly caused significant distress for the coach’s young daughter, and led to physical injuries for both adults involved. The opposing coach sustained a bruise on his thigh, while his wife suffered a concussion, bruising to her scalp, and even lost a lock of hair during the ordeal.

Ortiz now faces charges of assaulting a sports official, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, and harassment, with bail set at $10,000, as indicated in court records.

Following the incident, the Lower Merion County police sought charges against Stanley, who later turned himself in. His attorney, Nathan Schadler, stated that Stanley had suffered broken bones and head injuries during the incident.

“We’re planning to investigate further and gather testimonies from witnesses. My client insists that he has done nothing wrong, but it was his family that called 911 and encouraged him to report to the police,” Schadler explained.