Police investigating wrestling coach
HAMMOND: Authorities look into sexual misconduct allegation against former substitute teacher.
BY JOE CARLSON and BRIAN WADDLE
Times Staff Writers
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Friday, January 14, 2005 12:52 AM CST
HAMMOND | Officials at Hammond High School fired head wrestling coach and substitute teacher Kevin English after a freshman at the school accused him of attempted sexual misconduct.
English, 24, denied the accusation he attempted to fondle the girl while on a bus trip to Twin Lakes High School in Monticello with the Hammond High wrestling team.
Superintendent Walter Watkins of the School City of Hammond confirmed English was let go from his positions as head coach and part-time substitute teacher because of the allegations.
“Immediately after the allegation was brought to the attention of Hammond High School, the coach was relieved, “Watkins said. “Even though he resigned, he was terminated by the school city.”
English said he voluntarily resigned because of “personal and family difficulties “and referred all other questions to his father, Jack.
“There’s nothing that happened with Kevin at the school. Kevin wasn’t fired, he wasn’t let go. He resigned, “Jack English said. “People can go around throwing accusations all they want, but until they are founded, they better make sure they know what they’re talking about.”
Indiana State Police began investigating the incident after Hammond police took a report about a Hammond High coach who allegedly committed sexual misconduct Dec. 29 against a student on a school bus, Hammond police spokesman Michael Jorden said.
The student and her mother said they were advised Thursday by state police not to speak publicly about the incident or publicly identify themselves without further investigation.
On Tuesday, the mother told The Times that English had attempted to fondle her daughter while she was sleeping during the early morning bus ride. She said the incident ended when the girl woke up and became startled.
Another person who was on the bus during the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the student still was visibly shaken by the incident later that day.
“On the way home, she was still shook up, “the person said. “She didn’t even want to be around him. She was scared of him.”
Jack English, who in 2001 co-founded the independent Bad Boys Wrestling Club with his son, defended Kevin and threatened litigation.
“I don’t know what somebody said and who said it, but whoever said it better be very careful about what they say, because if they say things that aren’t true, they damn well better be able to prove these things. Because if they don’t, I’ll give Kevin the money to sue (them), “Jack English said.
Asked if school officials had raised other issues about Kevin English, Watkins said there had been “concerns “about his “decision-making and other matters. “Watkins would not elaborate.
Hammond High School Principal Cassel White said the allegations still were being investigated, but Kevin English will not return to employment at the school, where he had coached the last two years.
“I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t hear of these allegations, “White said. “We had been looking into it and investigating the matter. All of these things kind of started happening (English’s resignation and suspension) all at the same time.”
Joe Carlson can be reached at [email protected] or (219) 933-4174. Brian Waddle can be reached at [email protected] or (219) 933-4191.
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