NSFW: Eric Ward Alleges He Was Cussed Out by Former Boss

Former record-breaking Texas Tech WR Eric Ward posted on Facebook last night that he was cussed out by the Wichita Falls ISD Athletic Director and Rider High School head coach Marc Bindel. I’ll let you read it in full below (WARNING: there is some harsh language included). Ward recently announced he was leaving his position as wide receivers coach at Rider High School to coach at Elgin High School next year.

The full text of Ward’s post, which can be found here:

Today, there was an incident which I was publicly humiliated by WFISD Athletic Director Scott Hafley and Rider Head Football Coach Marc Bindel. Due to an issue that was not to my knowledge. There were under 200 kids, parents, and elderly bystanders present on the field for a NFL Flag Regulation game, who also witnessed this act. I was given permission to use the new Rider turf field by Head Coach Marc Bindel via phone conversation at approximately 4:31pm, Today June 13th, I personally asked Bindel for permission to use the turf field during our conversation, Coach Bindel agreed by sharing, “You can use the other end of the turf field while I use the opposite end for 7 on 7.” Bindel allowed me to use 45 yards of the 100 yard field for the NFL Flag Football participants, while he coached his Rider football players in 7 on 7 for 2 hours at the opposite end. At approximately 6:54pm I noticed a WFISD branded Suburban pull in and park in the Rider Athletic Parking Lot. To my surprise, Scott Hafley (WFISD Athletic Director) gets out of the Suburban and walks down the sidewalk leading to the turf field where under 200 participants, kids, parents, and elderly were presented. He yells at me “Eric Ward get you fucking ass over here!” I’m in shock and also confused that this is even happening more so that Hafley would address me in such manner in front of under 200 spectators. I respectfully abandoned my referee duties and cluelessly hustled over to meet Scott at the track and sidewalk intersection. At this time Coach Bindel had walked over from the field as well. Scott Hafley begins yelling, “get these fucking kids off of my field now!,” repeatedly. I responded, “Coach please let me explain” Scott then says ” this is a fucking 1.2 million dollar field, get these fucking kids off now, I don’t want to hear another word from you or anything you have to say, get these fucking kids off of my 1.2 million dollar field.” The 200 witnesses paused in awe and disbelief as to what just happened. I’m lost for words myself because Coach Bindel did not bother to tell the truth regarding the permission he granted prior to using the field. Instead, Marc Bindel denied every ounce of truth but did mention “I don’t think I said you can use it, I thought I said maybe the field isn’t ready.” But, why would I use only half of the field and you use the other half simultaneously when he was hosting his players 7 on 7? Assuring that I had Bindel’s permission. So Bindel allowed me to get humiliated in front of 200 people by Scott Hafley who did not bother to professionally address the misunderstanding on behalf of Marc Bindel appropriately and not in front of kids. Personally, my feelings are tarnished and I am very humiliated, I cannot believe I got cursed out and talked to like a peasant in front of 200 people. Is this what I get for pouring my heart into the kids in our community to keep them active and out of harms way through the summer? Is this the thanks I get for giving back. I am so humiliated that this happened to me. For the 200 witnesses that saw this occur, you know how traumatizing Hafley’s verbally abusive rant was. I am sorry for the parents and children who had to listen to such words like “get your ass over here now” “shut this shit down now,” and “get these kids off of my fucking 1.2 million dollar field,” from Scott Hafley. I apologize to the elderly who just wanted to watch their young family members enjoy some flag football instead of witnessing the verbally abusive rant and defamation of humiliation that took place. Not to mention, Coach Bindel shared that he never liked me because he felt that I “Never gave him 110% respect as the Head Football Coach at Rider.” Excuse me, I turned my cleats in to change lives, not validate insecurities.

This is truly a weird story. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anything like it before. I remember Ward as not just an outstanding football player on the field, but a well-spoken and fantastic representative of Texas Tech off the field as well. I would be shocked if he knowingly did something wrong in this situation, but there are two sides to every story.

As for the allegation that Ward never gave 110%, again, the exact opposite was true during his time as a Red Raider. I seem to remember him being praised by his coaches as a guy who was always hustling. I even remember after receiving a few holding calls, fans seemed to give him the benefit of the doubt since he was at least working his tail off trying his best to make an impact even when he didn’t have the ball.

Incoming four-star WR T.J. Vasher played at Rider High School and was coached by Eric Ward last season. We will look for a response from Rider High School and/or Wichita Falls ISD and update the story if needed.