WNDU - Benton Harbor Area Schools says it has fired an assistant high school boys basketball coach after it was determined that the coach was involved in a postgame incident last week where a referee was hit by multiple thrown objects.
Kelvin Butts in a news release. The incident happened immediately after Benton Harbor lost to Buchanan last Wednesday in a district semifinal playoff game at Dowagiac Union High School by a final score of Benton Harbor was called for 22 fouls in the game while Buchanan was only called for eight.
Seconds later, that same referee was hit with what appears to be cups or bottles of water. The video shows the referee falling, then being helped up by police officers who would eventually escort him off the court and into the locker room. According to police, the referee was also hit by a notebook in the hallway as he tried to leave the building.
Dowagiac police say charges are being sought and they are still attempting to identify other individuals that engaged in the assault of the referee including the individuals pictured below. Butts says a student was also involved in the incident, but the district cannot provide specific details on their involvement due to FERPA regulations. Butts adds that the district is also in talks with the Michigan High School Athletic Association MHSAA to not only address the events of February 26th but, more importantly, to implement comprehensive measures that prevent any recurrence of such incidents.
One day after the incident, Benton Harbor school officials suggested the fans in the crowd were to blame for the incident. However, Dr. Stay up to date on local news with WNDU on-air and online. Be sure to download the 16 News Now App and follow our YouTube page as we continue to bring you the latest coverage on this developing story. High School. Notre Dame. South Bend. Skip to content. Northwest Indiana. Wednesday's Child. First Alert Weather.
