ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701310062
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
EMORY & HENRY rescinds the suspension of basketball coach Bob Johnson.
Emory & Henry men's basketball coach Bob Johnson has been reinstated after a one-week suspension related to a complaint brought against him by a group of players who quit the team last week.
A four-person committee concluded its investigation of the complaint Wednesday and reported to Dr. James Dawsey, a dean at the Emory school.
``We're glad to get it behind us and we're glad Coach Johnson still is with the team," said Emory & Henry athletic director Lou Wacker, a member of the committee. Other committee members included Board of Trustees member Dr. Emmett V. Richardson, geography department chair Dr. John Morgan and religion department head Dr. Fred Kellogg.
The Wasps were 3-1 in Johnson's absence while being coached by assistant Rob Canaday. They upset the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's first-place team, Roanoke, 106-97 on Wednesday night at Emory.
``I'm happy to be back and very, very proud of the basketball team and very proud of the job Rob Canaday did during the suspension," Johnson said by telephone Thursday night. ``Our captain, Don Childress [from William Byrd High School], has done a great job and has been very supportive.
``He learned a lot about himself and learned a lot about loyalty."
The week-long investigation included some of Johnson's former players traveling to Emory to meet with the investigative committee. According to a person familiar with the investigation, the former players were unanimous in their support of Johnson.
Johnson will be with the team today when it leaves for Virginia Wesleyan for a game Saturday.
``It's nothing new that I am willing to talk about issues with my team," Johnson said. ``The important thing is, maybe through this the team has come together."
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