Grifton, NC -- A middle school became the scene of an unusual protest today. Dozens of students showed up on campus, but didn't go to class.
The students, and their parents, are upset about the suspension of the school's softball coach, Haywood Dillahunt.
Kiersten Graham is a student at Grifton School. "I think it's just ridiculous because Dillahunt was the best coach we've ever had,” she said.
Class was in session at Grifton School Friday morning but some students didn't go.
"I received a phone call yesterday morning about ten minutes after 8 from my daughter, Sarah, crying her eyes out,” explained Gloria Carr. Carr was one of a half dozen parents who took their kids out of school following a meeting with representatives from Pitt County Schools.
Pitt County Schools Superintendent Beverly Reep said, "The employee in question has been suspended with pay and that was my decisions because I think there are some concerns about school issues."
The school system won't elaborate on what those issues are but these parents say it may stem from an incident that happened Monday when Brian Wheeler's step daughter was hit in the face with a softball during practice.
“She received a broken orbital bone in the lower portion of the eye socket,” explained Wheeler. But he said she still continued to play. “We got there and Nina was already, she had decided that she was going to play ball and the coach had asked her, could she play? And she was motivated, she loved to play, she loves the school, she wanted to play ball. So we allowed her to play. Later we found out, after the game, that she was knocked unconscious with the ball when it hit her."
Reep wouldn't confirm the accident involving wheeler's step-daughter was the reason for the suspension.
"Because of past history in our district with head injuries, we have very ridged protocols in place and I expect those protocols to be followed and when they're not, we take that very seriously,” said Reep.
"Up until a few weeks ago, Dillahunt was also the athletic director here at Grifton elementary, but was removed following a separate incident with Pitt County Schools. The school system won't elaborate on what the circumstances were surrounding that situation.
Wheeler says Dillahunt has his complete support as his daughter's coach.
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