Police give coach ride to game after jail release

[Project Grudge]

Source: Indianapolis Star

ELKHART, Ind. -- Elkhart police gave a high school boys basketball coach a lift to a game in Michigan City after he bonded out of jail following an arrest on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Elkhart police said Wednesday that Assistant Chief Tim Balyeat authorized an officer to pick up Elkhart Memorial coach Mark Barnhizer from the jail Saturday and drive him to the regional tournament game about 45 miles away. The ride was given at the request of Elkhart Community Schools, said Lt. Ed Windbigler.
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"We felt you shouldn't penalize 10 young adults for the mistakes of one person," Balyeat said.

Read more: http://www.indystar.com/article/20090319/NEWS02/903190469

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I think this continues to prove that Indiana takes its basketball very seriously.

[T Wolf]

1. As long as the coach got to drive the bus back home after the game...

[bluestateguy]

2. Texas cops wouldn't think twice about doing that for a high school football coach

You don't mess with those sacred cows (Football in Texas and basketball in Indiana).

[rolltideroll]

3. I can see this for a football coach

Hell, if it gave Bama a championship I would help Nick Saban cover up a murder. Americans love sports, no surprise they get more latitude than others. It is not fair, but it is how it is. Personally, I can;t believe they even charged the guy.

[tomm2thumbs]

4. nice way to learn a lesson - not

how is letting this guy sneak back after driving intoxicated serving those kids? maybe he should have f'n thought of that before getting behind the wheel – driving while intoxicated on a Saturday around a high school in the first place? he could have damn well killed one of these kid's families, if not driven an entire bus of teens off the road... put in the assistant coach for chrissakes

yea, better he should get returned to 'lead' these kids smelling of liquor, so he can save face and not learn his lesson the hard way
'we did it for the kids' - excuse me while I vomit -

[Vidar]

5. Cops acting decently for a change.

[cabluedem]

6. Yeah, that makes up for the cracked heads and dead innocents they shoot. nt

[LiberalFighter]

7. Excuse me you dumb ass Balyeat... That is why they have asst coaches.

And you don't ef n give special preferences to people.

[Downtown Hound]

8. Nice cops. n/t