Monday's Internet Edition, October 06, 2008.
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| COPPERAS COVE boys basketball coach Chris Graham was indicted for an “improper relationship” with a student last week. – Photo by LARRY HAUK |
News editor -
Copperas Cove boys basketball coach Christopher Graham was indicted on Thursday for an improper relationship between an educator and a student.
Graham was the boys varsity basketball head coach for this past school year. His resignation was just approved by the school board on April 13.
The indictment states that on or about Feb. 14, Graham intentionally or knowingly engaged in “deviate sexual intercourse” with a student who was enrolled in Copperas Cove High School. The indictment said Graham was performing oral sex on a female student.
A statement released by Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Rose Cameron stated that on Feb. 18, allegations of inappropriate contact with a student were reported to the Copperas Cove Independent School District.
“The district response was to put Christopher Graham on administrative leave while an investigation was conducted,” Cameron said, “Parents of the student involved were notified; however, due to the subject of the investigation, public information has been limited to protect the information of the student and employee.”
Cameron also stated that law enforcement agencies have taken over the investigation.
The charge is a second degree felony charge, that if convicted, can have a 2 year minimum punishment. The maximum would be 20 years as well as fines that could be as high as $10,000.
The felony is under penal code 21-12.
Calls to the District Attorney and the Coryell County SherriffsDepartment were not returned at press time.
“The Copperas Cove Police Department initially took the information down on the case, but had no idea where the school was going with it,” Daniel Austin said, “After that it was handed over to the DA’s office.”
Graham, who is married with an infant son, took over the head coaching position when former coach Benny Ward resigned after seven years.
Graham was first named head coach on an interim basis, however in March 2003, the interim was dropped from his title.
The Dawgs went 0-10 in district during the 2003-04 season.
Currently, Graham is still on payroll with CCISD. His resignation will be official on May 28, the last working day for the high school staff.
CCISD would not release the status of Graham’s salary without an open records request. The Leader-Press has since submitted the request.
“We have opened the job and are taking applications at this time,” said Athletic Director Jack Welch. “We will be taking applications until the job is filled, meaning there is no closing date. We will be screening those applications in the near future and start interviewing candidates at that time.”
Varsity assistant coach John Avritt is currently serving as the interim head coach of the boys varsity team. He has also formally applied for the vacant position.
“Right now John is running the program as if he were the head coach,” Welch said. “He has already been rehired for next year so he will be at Copperas Cove High in some capacity regardless.”