Springdale High School baseball coach charged with assault

The head coach of Springdale High School’s baseball team has been charged with simple assault and strangulation in connection with an incident over the weekend, police said.

Brett Burger was charged with assaulting a woman, according to a criminal complaint filed with Harmar District Judge David Sosovicka.

“The Allegheny Valley School District is aware of the charges and is investigating the matter,” said Patrick Graczyk, Superintendent of the Allegheny Valley School District. “Once our investigation is complete, we will determine if any action is necessary.”

Graczyk declined to comment on whether Burger would be able to coach in Springdale’s scheduled game Monday.

Springdale Borough police Officer Fred Hockenberry said he responded to a call at 8 p.m. Sunday at a home on Hoeveler Street and was met on the front porch by a woman.

She told the officer she and Burger were arguing, and he “punched and strangled her.” She told the officer Burger took her phone but gave it back when she said she wouldn’t call the police.

The woman said Burger threw her on a bed, punched her in the leg and strangled her against the wall, according to the complaint.

Burger acknowledged to the officer there was an argument, police said. He told police he and the woman pushed each other but denied any punching or choking took place.

Hockenberry said the woman told him she did not need emergency medical services.

Burger was arraigned Monday morning and released on a $2,500 unsecured bond.

Burger, a Springdale High School graduate, was hired in 2017. He coached the junior high and junior varsity teams at Fox Chapel for six years before coaching at Highlands High School in Harrison for one season.