CLARK CO. D.A. TO E.C. REGIS PARENTS, COACHES: GROW UP
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 -- 2:22 PM
Two Eau Claire Regis football coaches will not face criminal charges related to an after-game altercation at Owen-Withee High School.After reviewing the case, Clark County District Attorney Darwin Zwieg determined the altercation involving a disgruntled parent and coaches Stu and Todd Brown did not warrant charges.
According to a report filed by the Owen Police Department, witnesses saw Chris Hougen, a parent of a Regis player, approach the coaches after the Ramblers were easily beaten by the Owen-Withee Blackhawks.
According to a witness, Hougen expressed concern with the way the team was being coached, touching off a verbal altercation where it's alleged Todd and Stu Brown pushed Hougen "5-10 yards" while yelling obscenities in front of players and parents.
But a further investigation revealed Hougen and David Menard, a booster club member and witness to the incident, may not be completely without blame. A former Regis coach described similar incidents involving Hougen and posts to an on-line Wisconsin high school sports site made by Menard under the screen name "doggydoc" indicate an ulterior motive may have been at play.
In a letter released to the news media, Zwieg states "all involved here need to work on perspective and on a mature response when it comes to adversity," and even quotes Teddy Roosevelt's famous speech crediting those "actually in the arena."
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