INTERNATIONAL FALLS — A Falls High School hockey coach was charged with felony theft Friday, April 17, after allegedly taking nearly $10,000 from a booster club.
Girls Head Coach Bryan Wayne Kershaw, 47, told a fundraising company in November 2025 to make out the check from a recent fundraising event to him personally and has not returned the money, according to the statement of probable cause.
Kershaw is also the Falls head junior varsity softball coach and an assistant coach. The School Board is set to accept his resignation at its meeting Monday.
Superintendent Beth Shermoen said in a news release Monday that the district is fully cooperating with law enforcement and “appropriate administrative action has been taken.” The district is also reviewing financial oversight procedures for boosters and offering counseling for affected students.
“To our Girls Hockey players: your hard work and love of the game are not diminished by this situation,” Shermoen stated. “The District is committed to the continuity and integrity of the program.”
The theft was reported April 2 to the International Falls Police Department by two board members of the girls hockey booster club.
The board members told police they raised $9,864.25 at an event in November and that Kershaw had the check made out to him.
The owner of the fundraising company confirmed that to law enforcement and shared text messages in which Kershaw made the request. Those messages stated that was the way “the Treasurer wants it,” according to the statement of probable cause.
The booster club board members told police they have texted and called Kershaw several times and received promises but not the money.
The maximum penalty for Kershaw’s felony theft charge is 10 years, a $20,000 fine or both.
Kershaw’s first court appearance has not been set as of Monday morning. The case was assigned to Itasca County Judge Sarah McBroom after Koochiching County Judge Jerrod Shermoen recused himself.
Past thefts
Kershaw has been convicted of theft in Minnesota at least twice before, according to court records. At least four organizations have also taken him to court for unpaid bills over the last decade.
In 2017, he was convicted of three misdemeanor counts of theft and possession of counterfeit checks in Chisholm. He was fined $200 and spent one year on probation.
In 2016, Kershaw was convicted of misdemeanor theft in Chisholm. He was fined $50 and ordered to pay $170 in restitution.
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