Assault Archives

1999

WRESTLING — Following a lopsided high school wrestling match in Newport, WA., the official who had ejected a coach and received intimidating threats from fans, was followed by a vehicle out of the school's parking lot for more than 30 miles as the official traveled home. The "tail-gating" was finally stopped when the official used his cell phone to contact state and county police who intervened. The confused driver told the officer she thought she was following her sister home!(2/2/99)

1997

BASKETBALL - A brawl at a basketball game and a referee being knocked to the floor resulted in the suspension of seven players and a criminal charge against a Winlock fan. A fight broke out between the benches after a Winlock man alledgedly attacked the referee. The assailant was charged with 4th degree assault. (1997)

1996

WRESTLING - High school wrestler (Chad Hilderbrandt) was charged and convicted of 4th degree assault, due to headbutting a referee (Bob West) and rendering him unconscious. The athlete had been accessed an unsportsmanlike penalty, after he was pinned by his opponent, and he jumped up and threw a shoulder against his competitor. The referee turned away to inform the coach of the penalty and was headbutted in the temple. As a result of the blow the referee stopped breathing for 10 seconds and was rendered unconscious for approximately 4-5 minutes. West has a permanent partial disability for the rest of his life, due to the assault. The athlete was sentenced to 30 days in county jail, 100 hrs. community service and a year probation. This incident was captured on tape and has been a catalyst in many states pursuing assault legislation. (1/18/96)

The civil trial against the Colville School District ended on 10/11/2000. Hilderbrandt had an extensive criminal record and numerous school violations preceding the match. He had been penalized twice previous to West's match and again in the match that evening against his opponents. West claims the District should not have allowed Hilderbrandt to be a contestant to begin with, and at a minimum owed West and/or his Association a duty to inform them of Hilderbrandt's violent tendencies. The small town jury denied the claim and found in favor of the school district. The case was under appeal due to a judicial error, but has been abandoned by West due to the administrative costs he has incurred during the trial.

1995

BASKETBALL - A basketball player in Tacoma, WA., assaulted a referee by punching him in the face because his team lost their game. (1/95)

1994

SOFTBALL - In Tacoma, WA., an umpire for an adult, co-ed softball game was shoved and held down by a player while other team-mates roughed him up. (2/94)