photo by: Nick Krug

Free State head coach Lee Ice talks with his batter Sara Roszak during the fifth inning against Blue Valley on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Arrocha Ballpark.

Free State’s softball team, the defending two-time state champions, will have to try to win a third state title without longtime head coach Lee Ice.

Julie Boyle, the district’s director of communications, confirmed in an email to the Journal-World on Tuesday that Ice has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of a complaint. Ice has been the head coach for the Firebirds over the past 12 seasons.

Boyle said the complaint does not involve concerns about the coach’s interaction with the student-athletes or their safety, but “personnel matters” prevent the district from sharing any additional information.

An email sent out to parents of the FSHS softball program from FSHS Athletic Director Amanda Faunce, which was obtained by the Journal-World, noted that the complaint was filed after the game on May 13. In that game, Free State held off Lawrence High for a 5-2 win in the regular-season finale on senior night.

“Regrettably, I overreacted to a comment directed towards me by an assistant coach during a recent game,” Ice told the Journal-World. “And while the timing is unfortunate, I certainly accept the consequences of my actions and offer my sincere apology to my team and Free State High School.”

Assistant Charley Bowen will take over head coaching duties for the Firebirds as they enter postseason play.

Free State (17-1) will begin its quest for a third consecutive state crown on Wednesday. FSHS, the No. 2 seed in the Class 6A West, will host a four-team regional and face No. 15 Wichita Heights (3-17) in the opener at 4:30 p.m.

With a win, the Firebirds would advance to the regional championship to face the winner of No. 7 Derby (15-5) and No. 10 Wichita North (10-10) at approximately 6 p.m. that same day. The winner of the regional final will be one of the eight squads to compete in the Class 6A state tournament.

Free State’s lone loss this spring came against Washburn Rural on April 16. The Firebirds went 13-0 on their way to a Sunflower League title, their fourth in program history after winning the league in 2005, 2006 and 2019.