Editor’s Note: An email was sent to Covina Valley Unified School District’s Chief Business Officer, Manuel Correa, to refute any of the allegations in this story, but 48 hours later, there was no response on their end. At the very bottom of this story is a statement by the Covina Vikings regarding the COUSD providing them a new home, and correspondence back and forth between the CVUSD, Covina Vikings President Jason Cook, and a letter he received from the district’s lawyers.

Youth Football:

It’s not hyperbole to say that, as of late, the powers-that-be at the Covina Valley Unified School District have come across as vindictive to many in the community.

There has been example after example brought to the attention of this site over the past two years in confidence, because they fear retribution from the shot callers.

In what seems baffling to some, the CVUSD cabal doesn’t even make an attempt to cover up what people have described as ‘petty actions.’

It all started in January.

Five days after an all-star football game that was played at Covina District Field didn’t go nearly as smoothly as planned, the district put 30-year CHS coach and teacher, Kevin Glaspy, on paid leave.

They also stripped Glaspy of his athletic director and head track and football coaching duties.

He was one of nearly a dozen coaches involved with the planning and completion of the game, and Glaspy himself was the first to say it wasn’t planned or executed nearly as well as it could have.

Ironically, though, none of the other districts concluded that anything nefarious had taken place, and they felt there was no need to put their coaches under a microscope.

And now, after 153 days and multiple interviews later, the Glaspy situation still remains in limbo.

That gets us to the Covina Vikings Youth Football & Cheer Program.

The original Covina Vikings was founded in December of 1971.

It closed in the 1990’s, and it was revived by Kevin Glaspy in 2001.

There has been growing animosity since 2022 between the CVUSD and the Covina Vikings over rental fees at Covina High School, the home of the Covina Vikings since 2001.

The Covina Vikings youth program services local student-athletes between the ages of 5 and 14.

The mission statement of these youth programs is preparation for high school by creating a routine of strong work ethics, discipline, and pride in their community.

The heightened drama between the Covina Vikings and CVUSD came to a head on February 13, 2024, when they had the audacity to show up to a Board of Education Meeting and they sang the praises of Coach Glaspy, the Covina Vikings program he restarted, and what he and that program have meant in their lives and careers.

Two months and two days later, CVUSD sent a letter to the Vikings (that will be posted at the bottom of this story) that after 22 years, they could no longer keep their lighting equipment at Covina High School or the district.

Keep in mind that over the last two years alone, the Vikings have paid the CVUSD $67,000 for practicing six hours a week at CHS, and they hosted four games per season.

They also rented Covina District Field to host the playoffs and a cheer competition.

The price for practicing and playing has gone up three times since the new administration took over four years ago.

Thankfully, this story has a positive turn.

After a couple of what looked to be promising locations fell through, the Charter Oak Unified School District has stepped up in a big way, and they’ve become the new home of the Covina Vikings Football and Cheer program.

As you’ll read below, the Covina Vikings, their parents and the athletes are grateful to the Charter Oak Unified School District, and they’re looking forward to turning the page and making new program history.

Lastly, I asked the President of the Covina Vikings Football & Cheer, Jason Cook, to answer the following: Had the Charter Oak Unified School District not stood up, what would have happened to the program? What has the reaction been of the parents and players of getting a new home? What has the Covina Vikings program provided the community’s youth and what are you most proud of? What would you want to tell the COUSD about them taking in the Vikings?

Said Jason Cook: “Without the ability to store our light towers on a practice field, we would have had no choice but to close our program. We can’t practice in the dark. As soon as we realized our program was in jeopardy, our coaches, staff and parents expressed their concerns. We were very transparent. We wanted to make sure we dispelled any rumors along the way. Our entire organization is extremely grateful and excited to be in our new home. The Covina Vikings has a long history in this community. We are extremely proud of the positive impact we have made on our youth, fostering a strong foundation in character building, teamwork, and perseverance.

I’m sure these are the goals of most non-profit youth football and cheer programs. It’s for the love of the game and for our communities. It’s hard to describe the pride and satisfaction you get when you see an athlete that came through our program who is now a young adult. To see a well-rounded responsible member of society and to know we contributed a small piece to the success of their development brings extreme joy. We are extremely grateful to the Charter Oak Unified School District and their leadership team.  I think our student-athletes and their parents will be able to get a closer look at what impressive opportunities the Charter Oak Unified School District has to offer. There is power in prayer, and we prayed a lot. We prayed individually and we prayed together. We prayed that God would touch the hearts of the people who can make a difference.”