Arkansas junior high school football coach back on job after player suffered burns during disciplinary drill

JONESBORO -- A Nettleton Junior High School football coach who led a disciplinary drill that resulted in one player burning his hands on a hot track will not be suspended and the school admits it was at fault for the injury, Superintendent James Dunivan said.

The student, whom school officials would not name, suffered burns and blisters to both of his hands Wednesday after a coach made him and 44 other junior high school football players crawl on the school's vulcanized rubber track.

Five players suffered burns but did not tell their coaches, Dunivan said.

One parent posted pictures of her son's burns on social media, prompting a school investigation into the punishment.

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Dunivan said the junior high team was being punished for being disruptive during a high school team practice and made to do "bear crawls" and "crab walks" on the school's 400-yard track. The temperature in Jonesboro that day climbed to 92 degrees.

"The coaches felt the track before doing that and it didn't seem that warm," Dunivan said.

"But they weren't in full contact with it. It was a terrible place to do an exercise."

The coach, whom Dunivan would not name, was suspended for two days during the investigation and reinstated Monday after parents and players asked for the coach to be allowed to return, the superintendent said.

Dunivan said he met with the student's mother and felt like the issue was resolved.

"We own it," Dunivan said. "It is our responsibility. Initially, the punishment started because of the junior high's horseplay during senior high practice. It was a physical exercise intended for refocusing.

"There was no malice or intent to harm anyone."

Nettleton School District Athletic Director Greg Rainwater said he could not comment on the investigation and referred calls to Dunivan. He said football players will not do those types of exercises on the track again.

A spokesman for the Arkansas Athletic Association said the issue was a "local matter" and it would not investigate.

"Everybody knows it was a mistake," Dunivan said. "We learned a lot from this."

State Desk on 09/26/2017

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