Babylon Schools unanimously voted to dismiss a popular, longtime baseball coach Monday after a controversy involving online fundraising.

Anthony Sparacio, the former varsity baseball coach at Babylon High School, ran afoul of administrators when he started the online fundraising campaign without the school's permission.

"The injustice, they're not only punishing him but they're punishing those kids who absolutely adore him," says the coach's wife, Allison Sparacio.

During a 5-minute meeting Monday, Babylon's school board did not mention Sparacio's name or discuss the reasons of his dismissal. In the ensuing public questioning period, parents say they raised no concerns because they did not realize the board had put the matter to rest.

"I know that this went over everyone's head," says Ann Kessinger, of Babylon. "No one had any idea until they were picking up and leaving that the three or four words they said meant he was fired."

When community members confronted the board after the meeting, board members left.

"It looked like it was a railroad job," says Rudy Carastro. "They made a decision before anyone could speak."

Sparacio's players, who say they are hopeful for a run at the state championship this upcoming season, also say they're heartbroken.

"He's been a father figure," says varsity player Kenneth Gordon. "Teaching me lessons on and off the field, good work habits, helping me increase knowledge of the game."

Brandon Beierle, another varsity player, says the coach made a mistake that did not fit the punishment.

"I did something wrong, but I did not do it maliciously," Sparacio admitted.

A spokesperson for the district could not comment due to a prohibition on discussing personnel issues. Sparacio will keep his job as a health teacher at the school.