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Police say man attacked two young referees, one of them 16 years old, in game involving 10-year-old kids. Date published: 5/5/2010
BY KEITH EPPS
A youth soccer coach was arrested following an altercation with two young referees near the end of a game Tuesday, police said. Jason Edward Adkins, 34, of Spotsylvania was charged with two counts of assault and battery and destruction of property, Sheriff’s spokeswoman Capt. Liz Scott said. All are misdemeanor charges. According to police and witnesses, two county parks and recreation teams comprised of 10- and 11-year-olds played a tight game at the Battlefield Middle School soccer field. More than 50 people were in attendance. Toward the end of the game, Scott said, Adkins became upset about the enforcement of a penalty and stormed onto the field toward a 16-year-old referee. Scott said Adkins bumped the teen’s chest, grabbed the front of his shirt and balled up his fist underneath the teen’s chin. The young referee ejected the coach as a second referee, a 20-year-old man, came to his aid. Police said Adkins grabbed that referee’s sunglasses and broke them into several pieces. He shoved the older referee and grabbed him by the neck before several parents ran onto the field and convinced him to stop, Scott said. The game ended at that point with Adkins’ team trailing 2 to 1. Adkins, who has coached in the Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation League for several seasons, was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under a $1,000 bond and later released. Kevin Brooks, the director of the county parks and recreation department, said Adkins has been suspended indefinitely. He said the department will conduct it’s own investigation before deciding if and when Adkins can return. Parents on the opposing team expressed outrage about Tuesday’s incident. Mike Long, one of the parents, called it “deplorable, reprehensible and monstrous.” Long said Adkins had displayed poor sportsmanship before, “but this time he really lost control. He completely flipped out.” A mother who asked not to be named said everyone, including the children, was disturbed about what happened. “We’re all competitive,” she said. “But it’s just awful to do that in front of the children.” But others came to Adkins’ defense. Several said the allegations against him were exaggerated and said their children have loved having him as a coach. Nicole Corvin, whose daughter has played two seasons under Adkins, said Adkins is “an awesome coach and person.” Corvin said the younger referee touched Adkins first and Adkins told him “you stay here” and walked toward the other referee. She said her daughter would be happy to have Adkins back as a coach. Keith Epps: 540/374-5404 kepps@freelancestar.com
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