WBSD: Football player struck opposing coach

A West Bloomfield High School football player has been suspended from school indefinitely after he allegedly punched a Rochester Hills Stoney Creek coach at the end of a game on Friday, Oct. 5.

The incident occurred after tensions built up between both teams near the game’s conclusion as Stoney Creek won, 50-28. The player’s identity has not been released.

The West Bloomfield School District released a statement on Monday, Oct. 8 regarding the matter:

“On Friday evening, an unfortunate incident occurred at the end of our West Bloomfield Lakers varsity football game against Rochester Hills Stoney Creek. Tapes from Friday evening’s game have been reviewed by administration and staff.

“Although there have been inaccuracies in the media coverage, it is clear that a member of our varsity football team hit a coach from the opposing team at the very end of the game. This incident involved the actions of one student only and not the team. The remainder of the West Bloomfield Lakers football team behaved appropriately.”

“We are saddened by the actions of this individual student, and would like to express our apologies to the coach as well as to any others who may have been negatively impacted by these actions. The student will face disciplinary action in accordance with our district code of conduct. The student is not in school today (Oct. 8) and is under suspension pending further investigation.

  “As a building and district, we set high standards for our student athletes. Actions such as these are not and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”

West Bloomfield High School Athletic Director Pat Watson directed all questions to the district superintendent’s office.

West Bloomfield Head Coach Ron Bellamy did not return a call as of press time on Monday.