HS football controversy as coach uses player as tackling dummy
Oct 19, 2011, 12:01 PM EDT
That’s essentially what happened at East Nicolaus High (Sutter County, near Sacramento, CA), as head varsity football coach Mark Varnum invented a creative way to punish one of his players. Junior Justin Williams missed a practice, so the next day Varnum allegedly told the rest of the team to tackle him repeatedly. This included an 11-on-1 drill in which the ball was kicked to Williams at the goal line, and 11 players tackled him at once.
The coach told them to “stop pussyfooting around” and to “lay his ass out,” according to the claim. The teen had little access to water and vomited repeatedly, the complaint said.
The claim says the boy’s doctor reported his injuries to Child Protective Services. Williams had to be treated for dehydration, a concussion and a partially collapsed lung, according to a complaint his family filed with the school district.
Varnum, who also teaches science at the school, was placed on administrative leave last month. The family is now considering a civil lawsuit.
But the physical abuse of Williams isn’t the most disturbing portion of the complaint (seen in its entirety here, pdf). From CBS Local:
The claim also says the Varnum has been sexually inappropriate, sharing photographs of a female student to other members of his coaching staff, and placing his genitals on the face of a student.
Hello. The next school district meeting — where all of this will be discussed — is going to be fun, I’ll wager.
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Parent alleges Nicolaus football coach, players mistreated son [Sacramento Bee]
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- southernpatriots - Oct 19, 2011 at 2:10 PM
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We understand there must be some consequences for missing practice with no doctor’s excuse, etc. But the punishment is almost always an extra lap or three. Not being gang tackled and being used as a human tackle dummy. Since the coach chose this punishment and the administration of it, he is liable. The parents should sue for all medical damages, pain and suffering, and maybe a nice downpayment on this child’s higher education. What a shame. This is a flagrant abuse of authority.
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- Robert - Oct 19, 2011 at 2:50 PM
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Ampipe’s Coach Nickerson?
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- batterychucker25 - Oct 19, 2011 at 4:53 PM
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Mr Woodcock?
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- tjtaw - Oct 20, 2011 at 11:54 PM
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Mr. Chandler,
You and your blog are last month’s news. Compliments not withcoming for doing your due diligence in checking facts.
If updated news is wanted, perhaps inquire as to what news the student filing the claims has since created on his own actions. Maybe investigate the sterling accompanying families that piled on, and investigate what their child has seemingly recently been disciplined for.
Pertaining to your, and I am being kind, comments. There were two students who went through the extreme punishment so inaccurately claimed. The other student, and the entire football team denies that the said punishment occurred. Coach Varnum was actually at another practice station working with lineman when the described special team punt return drill took place. He actually hollered across the field for “no contact on that drill.” Interesting fact, specifically the aspect that the second athlete to miss practice, and that went through the same drill,” denies that anything exceptional occurred.
As to the player then lying (nice choice of words) on the ground vomiting, it is interesting to note that the same kid is reported to have stayed around the parking lot after practice for over an hour hanging out with friends.
As to yesterday’s news, a suit supposedly was filed almost immediately. The school has rejected the opportunity to settle out of court and is quite willing to take the case to court.
Among the other sensational and equally thoroughly investigated charges (not) by your esteemed self. it might be interesting to readers that Mr. Varnum has been exonerated after three separate and lengthy investigations by the sheriff’s department, the school, and looked at and dismissed by the Sutter County District Attorney’s office. The sensational “tea bagging” incident has been denied seemingly been denied by the alleged victim to investigators at each opportunity and to school officials twice.
One possible eye witness to said event, was contradicted by a coach and two other players who were present at the time of the alleged event. Interesting that this key witness is said to have been a disgruntled ex team member that had lost a playing position due to not showing up for off season workouts.
Concluding, two of the young men and their families who were at the forefront of charges are now themselves (allegedly – see how that is done Ricky) under possible investigation of wrong doing. A top notch (heehee) reporter like yourself Rick, might be able to detemine the possible wrong doing of the kids.
It is most sad that a person can throw out one side of an issue that took place on August 25, and then include another incident that never took place last spring, and have the freedom to attack the character of a man that did nothing wrong. Yet, then that is part of today’s culture. I most likely just did the same, as I am positive that an esteemed writer like yourself Ricky, called the school, Sutter County Sheriff Department, the District Attorney’s Office, the legal representatives or administration of East Nicolaus which are now free to comment on the baseless charges, to provide that well balanced and in depth reporting that you are not known for.
The story is sad, and the author perhaps too full of himself to have the decency to fill shame. Aspects mentioned by myself are there for people to find. The names of the juveniles, and possible wrong doing being investigated now on their behalf, were not mentioned. Nicities not followed by this (forgive me) writer, the Appeal Democrat, or perhaps even the legal council representing the family bringing forth teh possible legal lawsuit.
Don’t worry Mr. Chandler as to responding tothis, though people of your character probably will. I will not revisit this site. I actually googled Coach Varnum as I ehard that an exoneration story had appeared on Channel 40 or a newspaper, and I was curious as to what it said.
Respectfully,
tjtaw
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- ursilly - Oct 26, 2011 at 12:19 AM
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tsk, tsk…seems to me if you brought your nose down about 45 degrees or so you might be able to see what is ACTUALLY going on around you – because it’s definitely not the purported stories that a few people are trying to sell to the entire school and community!!
and by the way, there was NOTHING respectful (or mature) about your reply…just sayin’.
