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Coach's trial date set, team focuses on football Date published: 7/15/2009
BY TAFT COGHILL JR. Caroline High School football coach Ben Boyd apparently will be allowed to guide his team this season while facing two felony charges of forging and uttering a public document. Boyd was arraigned in Caroline County Circuit Court yesterday. He requested a jury trial, which is scheduled to begin Dec. 8. He has a motions hearing set for Sept. 8. Boyd's attorney spoke for him at his arraignment yesterday. "I believe my client will be found not guilty and exonerated," said Morgan Griffith of Salem, who is also the majority leader in the House of Delegates. Caroline Assistant Superintendent Eric Cunningham said it is up to the discretion of the School Board whether to suspend an employee who is facing a criminal charge. The Virginia High School League has no policy on coaches charged with crimes because "coaches are school division employees," VHSL Deputy Director Tom Zimorski said. Cunningham said the School Board didn't discuss suspending Boyd at its Monday meeting. "The School Board [is allowed to] suspend, but it has acted not to do so at this time because it's not a crime against children," Cunningham said. Boyd's contract doesn't officially start until Aug. 1, two days before fall practice begins. But he was directing the team's weight lifting sessions until he was arrested on school grounds July 1. Caroline players and assistant coaches said Boyd hasn't been back for workouts since his arrest. The team gathers Mondays through Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. It's unclear when Boyd will return. "I hope he comes back because he's a really good coach," Caroline standout senior wide receiver/defensive back Quinton Broaddus said. "We developed a bond. We talk a lot. We joke around a lot. We just have fun." Boyd, 53, was hired by Caroline May 11, after three years as the head coach at Franklin County High School. The decision sparked controversy because of his 1991 federal misdemeanor conviction for misbranding and illegally dispensing anabolic steroids. Caroline Commonwealth's Attorney Tony Spencer has declined to disclose the specifics of Boyd's two recent indictments. Several members of the search committee who helped hire Boyd told The Free Lance-Star in May they didn't know of the coach's past because it wasn't listed on his application.
Yes, this is a disgrace for Caroline County. He falsified his application by omission, where I work this is grounds for removal. Additionally, if my child was on the team I would be afraid he would return to his old pharmaceutical tricks.
Ok, what if the guy is a great coach and he has 2 misdemeanor convictions from 91 for steroids?He should fill out an honest app.The school board should take a look at it.Spencer should prosecute the current case.Let the man coach until conviction and then decide what to do.Lippa should stay out of it...except for his constitutional role.Let a public citizen file a complaint or speak like Mr. Cavendish.
I find it interesting that there was an outcry to ban players that were charged of a crime/felony (prior to their being convicted) from participation in sports but no such cry when the coach is charged.
With the school board and the school administration all playing the piano in the parlor, have no fear, Spencer, I'm sure will find a way to make Boyd coach of the year. I'm sure he's working on a plea as I type. There was no murder involved, so I'm sure some sort of award will be appropriate for his punishment. Boyd might check into Spotsy if for some reason Caroline doesn't work out. The Spotsy prosecutor has never met a plea he didn't like. 'Mild Bill' has the fastest plea in the East.
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