ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 30, 1996 TAG: 9612020032
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITER
Lord Botetourt High School's football coach resigned Friday morning, four days after he was convicted of driving 90 mph in his star player's car.
Andy Ward, who taught history at the high school, handed his resignation to school officials at 10 a.m., said Jim Ruhland, chairman of the Botetourt County School Board.
Four of the five school board members met in a brief special session an hour later and accepted the resignation with a unanimous vote.
Ward could not be reached for comment Friday.
"I hope Mr. Ward learned from his experiences and can move forward with his life," Ruhland said. "We're going to move forward with our school system.
"The first thing we need to do is find a new teacher," he said. "That affects us on a daily basis."
Ward, 32, was driving on a suspended license because of two prior drunken driving convictions when he was pulled over on U.S. 460 for driving 90 mph in a 55 mph zone. He pleaded guilty Monday to reckless driving and driving with a suspended license, for which he will spend a total of 14 days in jail and pay a small fine.
Ward, the Blue Ridge District coach of the year this past season, was suspended Tuesday morning by Superintendent Robert Reece for an undetermined period.
Board members and Reece have said they had no knowledge of Ward's run-ins with the law until this week.
"What can you do?" Ruhland asked. "We can't attend every court [hearing]. If anyone wants to deceive you, then they can."
Students, parents and teachers expressed regret over the resignation, although many said they understood the reason for the action.
"I'm kind of disappointed," said Allen Brown, a sophomore who plays center and middle linebacker on the football team. "I really didn't want him to resign. He's a good teacher, and everybody liked him."
He said students were split over whether Ward should quit his job. Lynn Thompson, who teaches English and geography at Lord Botetourt, said Ward will be missed.
"I think it looks bad for the school," she said. "But on the other hand, even though the students realize he has made some bad mistakes and used some poor judgments, I feel like the students were willing to forgive him and give him a chance to redeem himself."
Larry Springer, an officer with the football team's booster club, said the resignation was appropriate.
"I'm sorry this all came about, but I believe everybody has to be responsible for their own actions," he said. "It would be very difficult to come back and perform his duties with this thing hanging over his head."
Wesley Cox, the talented running back who had lent Ward the Pontiac involved in the speeding conviction, has been particularly upset about the week's events, his mother said.
The two had traded cars so Cox could take the coach's Thunderbird to visit his girlfriend in Charlottesville. Cox said he was trying to avoid putting unnecessary mileage on the Pontiac, given to him for his 18th birthday.
Judy Cox said Ward has apologized to her son, but added that she would like a public apology for causing him embarrassment.
"Wesley looked up to Andy," she said. "I just wish [Ward] could have been responsible in his own personal life."
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB