Conservative Broadcaster Amy Jacobson Resigns as Amundsen Volleyball Coach Amid Backlash Over Mocking 17-Year-Old Gus Walz
Conservative broadcaster Amy Jacobson has stepped down from her role as Amundsen head volleyball coach after facing backlash for mocking 17-year-old Gus Walz on a radio show.
A source at the school confirmed that Jacobson has resigned from her position, effective immediately. The decision came after parents called for her to step down, saying someone "who’s making fun of a child who’s neurodivergent is not someone you want coaching children."
The controversy began during an August 22 episode of Jacobson’s radio show, Chicago’s Morning Answer. She and co-host Dan Proft discussed the recent Democratic National Convention, focusing on the viral moment where Walz stood and said, "That’s my dad!" with tears streaming down his face as his father, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accepted the vice presidential nomination.
Proft made a comment about Walz needing Ritalin, a medication often used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and compared the teen to a Chris Farley impersonation of Andrew Giuliani during a 1994 "Saturday Night Live" sketch. Jacobson can be seen mimicking the teen and laughing.
Earlier this month, Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, shared that Gus Walz has a non-verbal learning disorder, an anxiety disorder, and ADHD.
The backlash against Jacobson was swift, with parents and community members calling for her resignation. Amundsen mom Amanda Griffith-Atkins wrote a letter to Principal Kristi Eilers requesting the school apologize to families. Griffith-Atkins’ son has Prader-Willi Syndrome and attends the high school as part of a cluster program designed for children with disabilities.
Amundsen is "definitely a place where there are lots of kids with disabilities in the building, and so I think when I heard about the podcast, I was just honestly shocked," Griffith-Atkins said. "This isn’t about what her political views may or may not be. It’s about the fact that she mocked a child with a disability or that she sat there silently while somebody else did it, and she didn’t speak up about it."
Mary Kensik-Winters, whose son is on the autism spectrum and graduated from Amundsen in 2020, told Block Club that she thinks Jacobson should be fired. "Kids have to listen to their coaches and follow what they say, and in that regard, they should be a role model," Kensik-Winters said. "Someone who stands by and listens to somebody who’s making fun of a child who’s neurodivergent is not someone you want coaching children."
Eilers and Jacobson did not respond to requests for comment. The Amundsen email stated that Amundsen P.E. teacher Raquel Acosta will be stepping up as interim girls varsity volleyball coach while the school searches for a new head coach.
Proft was formerly on the board of Envision Unlimited, an organization that provides care for people with intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities. Envision Unlimited released a statement saying one of their board members was recently removed. However, it did not answer questions about whether Proft was the board member in question.
The day after their comments about Gus Walz, Proft and Jacobson said they did not know the teen had a learning disability. "I’m not a guy who would make fun of somebody with a learning disability or some sort of developmental condition," Proft said. "It was not intentional, but I should have probably investigated it and known to exercise restraint there, and I didn’t, so I apologize."
As a coach, "you shouldn’t be making fun of children at all," Kensik-Winters said.
The Amundsen Local School Council’s next meeting is 6 p.m. September 10 in the high school’s library, at 5110 N. Damen Ave. Kensik-Winters said she will attend.
Jacobson previously worked as a reporter for WMAQ-TV NBC 5. She was fired in 2007 after a rival TV station aired video of her in a bikini at the home of man she was investigating in connection with his wife’s disappearance.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Jacobson’s comments has sparked important conversations about disability awareness, inclusivity, and the importance of being a role model for young athletes. As a coach, Jacobson had a responsibility to set a positive example for her players, and her actions fell short of that standard.
FAQs
Q: Why did Amy Jacobson resign as Amundsen volleyball coach?
A: Jacobson resigned after facing backlash for mocking 17-year-old Gus Walz on a radio show.
Q: What did Jacobson say about Gus Walz on the radio show?
A: Jacobson and co-host Dan Proft discussed the recent Democratic National Convention, focusing on the viral moment where Walz stood and said, "That’s my dad!" with tears streaming down his face as his father, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accepted the vice presidential nomination. Proft made a comment about Walz needing Ritalin, a medication often used to treat ADHD, and compared the teen to a Chris Farley impersonation of Andrew Giuliani during a 1994 "Saturday Night Live" sketch.
Q: What is Gus Walz’s diagnosis?
A: Gus Walz has a non-verbal learning disorder, an anxiety disorder, and ADHD.
Q: What did the Amundsen school administration say about the situation?
A: The Amundsen email stated that Amundsen P.E. teacher Raquel Acosta will be stepping up as interim girls varsity volleyball coach while the school searches for a new head coach. A CPS spokesperson said that the school system is "honored to serve all children and we strive to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment, free of any bias, discrimination or harassment."
