REPORT CLEARS CALHOUN HIGH FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF HAZING ALLEGATIONS

(10/09/2008)

By Justin D. Anderson Daily Mail Capitol Reporter dailymail.com CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Officials have ruled that no hazing occurred among football players at Calhoun High School. Sherry Patterson said her 16-year-old son Mitchell was attacked, choked and had his hands and feet taped together by a handful of teammates in the locker room during an August practice session. Patterson said her son suffered injury and mental stress because of the situation. She said she has since transferred her children out of the county school system. Patterson complained to school officials, who subsequently investigated the allegations. Kathy Nichols, the school system's human rights officer, determined in a report that the football players did restrain Mitchell as he alleged. But Nichols said the players did not violate the county's hazing policy, which currently is out for public comment. However, Nichols did recommend that students, staff and coaches undergo harassment training. She also recommended that the high school offer counseling to all students involved. Patterson has vowed to sue the school board. The family retained Charleston lawyer Tim Carrico, according to a story in Tuesday's edition of the Hur Herald, an online publication maintained by Calhoun County's Bob Weaver. "Legal action is being taken," Patterson told the Herald. "The school's hazing policy was certainly violated." Neither Patterson nor Carrico immediately returned telephone calls from the Daily Mail on Tuesday. Key Calhoun school officials did not respond to an e-mail. dailymail.com

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