Thanks to an outpouring of support, the beleaguered head coach of the Palmerton High School girls' softball team will remain at the helm.

After much consternation, the school board, on a 7-1 vote, with one abstention, agreed on Tuesday to not accept the resignation of Glenn Reimer. Director Susan Debski was in favor of the resignation. Director Darlene Yeakel abstained.Immediately afterward, the board then made a motion to reinstate Reimer to his position on the same 7-1 vote, with Debski opposed and another abstention from Yeakel.That decision came on the heels of a brief executive session after the board heard impassioned pleas from members of Reimer's coaching staff, players, family, and Reimer himself, to retain the position he's held since 2009.Resident Dawn Brinker spoke of Reimer's track record as coach, noting that in the four seasons before his arrival, the team had compiled a 2-78 record."I ask that you consider the girls on the team when you make that decision," Dawn Brinker said. "In the past, Glenn was voted Coach of the Year by the Morning Call."Stephanie Brinker, a member of the softball team, said Reimer is the most dedicated coach she knows, both on the field, and off the field."He takes us batting, and also helps the seventh-grade team," Stephanie Brinker said. "I really just think it would be a big mistake."Board President Barry Scherer noted that Reimer tendered his letter of resignation to the board.Scott Adcox, head coach of the junior varsity softball team, spoke of his support for Reimer."This should not even be up for debate," Adcox said. "I think it shouldn't be going on; we all want him here."Scott Levandusky, assistant varsity softball coach, concurred with that sentiment."We support coach Reimer," Levandusky said. "We need to have him here to coach."John Herring, assistant varsity softball coach, said he's known Reimer for a long time."He's not in it for any self-gratification," Herring said. "It's all about the girls; it's sad to see this happening."Nicole Reimer, the wife of Glenn Reimer, pleaded with the board to allow her husband to keep his coaching position.She said her husband had a business that failed in the fall of 2009. While he was charged with four charges at that time, he was never convicted, she said."We were devastated," Nicole Reimer said. "When the (district) athletic director called our home on (last) Wednesday, he told my husband that either he would have to resign, or he would be terminated."Nicole Reimer told the board she was upset that word of her husband's situation made its way out onto the streets."I am frustrated that the information that was shared at the (last week's) board meeting actually leaked out," she said. "I am appalled by that, that the information can leak from out of this board room."Katie Reimer, the daughter of Glenn Reimer, stated that through her father's coaching, she became a standout softball player."It is not fair; it is not helping our team," Katie Reimer said. "We need to keep Glenn Reimer as the girls softball coach."Glenn Reimer was next to take the podium, and pointed to the team members in attendance."Right there's what it's all about," Glenn Reimer said. "I don't know what's going on. I don't understand it, and I don't know why it's happening."Reimer said he has never been terminated in his life before, but was told to resign or be terminated."I've coached these kids since they were 5 years old," he said. "It's not about me. The season starts on Saturday. Don't do this now and hurt these kids."Reimer told the board he sincerely wanted to keep his position."I just want the right thing, that's all," he said. "I ask you guys to do the right thing."Michelle Rickert, a member of the softball team, said her coach should not be asked to resign.Fellow team member Martina Herring said Reimer has been like a father to many of the girls on the team."We're not fully a team without our coach," Herring said. "It's simple as that; we need him."Fellow team member Sierra Miller said much the same."We need him; he deserves to be on the field with us," Miller said. "You guys should be ashamed of yourselves."Resident Serena Russo requested the board explain why Reimer's position was in jeopardy."As a taxpayer, we have the right to know why; why is he being asked to resign?" Russo said. "We don't want his resignation; we want him on the field with our girls."Resident Jamie Tracy said he's "very disappointed with the way this has come about.""Nothing new surfaced or came about with his situation," Tracy said. "If you didn't want him way back in September you should have told us."Further, Tracy said Reimer has taken the program to new heights."Palmerton softball used to be the laughing stock of the (Colonial) League," Tracy said. "What more do you want from a coach?"George Pekurny, who coaches the Palmerton softball summer league team, said Reimer helped put Palmerton softball "back on the map.""He's guilty of nothing, except maybe being a bad businessman," Pekurny said. "If you can't give us a reason why, he better be coach."Resident Joe Russo said Reimer's "been doing everything that a coach is asked of.""Everybody's broken the law at least once," Russo said. "Everybody's done it, but it hasn't made a difference for you being able to do your job."Russo added "It's none of our business. His business is to coach softball; that's what his job is to do."Resident Susan Arner said the constitution states that a person is innocent until proven guilty."Listen to them; you don't have to accept his letter of resignation," Arner said. "Think about these girls; they need a leader like Glenn Reimer."Trisha Connolly, a member of the softball team, heaped praise on Reimer."I shouldn't really be on the team because I broke my wrist snowboarding," Connolly said. "If it wasn't for Glenn, I wouldn't be on the team."Connolly was then brought to tears as she continued speaking."It just breaks my heart that he has to go through this," she said. "I know the girls on the 2012 team are going to go very far."At that, the board agreed to go into executive session.After it voted in the affirmative to allow Reimer to keep his position, members of the audience erupted.Afterward, Reimer told the TIMES NEWS he was "ecstatic.""I'm glad the right decision was made," Reimer said. "I put so much time in with these kids, so much dedication."As a result, Reimer said the team can prepare for its season-opener when it hosts East Stroudsburg South on Saturday."I think they realize it's about the kids; let's do what's right for the kids," he said. "It's thanks to the support of my coaches and the players."