My father, Coach Bill Aris, is the legendary, well respected 12 time national championship cross country coach at Fayetteville Manlius High School. These championships are the least of his accomplishments as the positive impact he has had on thousands of young lives is immeasurable.

He is beloved by the greater Central NY community, FM alumni, parents and athletes.

He has currently been put on paid administrative leave while the school uses a third party to investigate claims alleging that he creates an environment of fear and disregards injury concerns, as has been reported by Matt Mulcahy of CNY Central News. These allegations are unfounded. Overwhelming support has been communicated to the district by hundreds of alumni, parents and community members who speak the truth about the character of Coach Bill Aris.

The investigation may conclude just prior to the last board of education meeting on June 8, 2026, where a decision is assumed to be made regarding Bill Aris’s coaching future, which has been jeopardized by a select few. Coach Aris wishes to continue coaching and hopes for the district to renew him as cross country and track coach at FM in 2026-2027, and beyond. The hope by all is that the district will bring Coach Aris back!

The majority of alumni, parents of alumni, current athletes, and parents of current athletes want Coach Aris returned to his coaching responsibilities and completely disagree with these claims, and what is taking place.

Please, if you have the ability to do so, give your support to this great man for legal fees during a time when his wife is also battling a rare, metastatic and terminal cancer. Your donations will go directly to the legal pursuit of answerability so as to return Bill Aris to his role as coach at FM.