Elk River Hockey Coach Resigns Amid Investigation

Tony Sarsland

A high school hockey coach once suspended for threatening a player abruptly resigned Friday morning.  The Elk River School district tells KSTP.com Tony Sarsland is currently under investigation.  He is also suspended from his job as a middle school teacher.

District spokesperson Casey Mahon said Sarsland resigned for "personal reasons."  Mahon said there were "claims put forth" that led to an investigation by the district.  Mahon emphasized the investigation involved district personnel only, that no law enforcement agency was involved.

Sarsland has been with the district since 1985.  Mahon said he's been coach of the varsity boys' hockey team for many years, possibly dating back to his date of hire.

In January of 1998, Elk River's superintendent suspended Sarsland for 10 days.  At the time, Sarsland was accused of threatening one of his own players, saying he'd break the player's jaw.  Sarsland apologized for the incident.

Because of the current investigation, Mahon says Sarsland is on paid administrative leave from his job teaching social studies at a VandenBerge Middle School.

Click here to watch Sarsland's interview with 5 EYEWITNESS News after the 1998 incident.