Parties dispute details of argument that lead to cutting of youth basketball coach

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The argument that led to a local youth basketball coach being cut by a knife is in dispute by both the coaches and the referee who allegedly wielded the knife.

Both sides have told police different stories about how the situation escalated to the point where referee Oliver Louis Wood, 46, of Newnan used the knife to cut coach Jerry William Sweeney, 48, of Tyrone on the arm.

Wood has been released on $50,000 bond. He is charged with aggravated assault and carrying a weapon on school property.

The incident, which occurred in the gym of Spring Hill Elementary School Tuesday evening, occurred in front of several young children. It happened directly after the end of a playoff game involving 7- and 8-year old children, and the argument had something to do with the officiating of the game, police said.

Lt. Tom Kirkbride of the Fayetteville Police Department said police are receiving conflicting statements about what happened. The matter is still under investigation, he added.

The game was being conducted by the Fayette County Youth Basketball Association, and in a statement to local parents, FCYBA president Carlos Garza said the association "will do whatever necessary to make sure this type of situation will not happen again."

Kirkbride confirmed that security guards are not employed by the association for these games. Garza could not be reached for comment by press time.

"I am appalled that a recreational activity such as this could have generated such intense emotions that two adults became involved in a very dangerous altercation," Garza said in the statement. "However, I wish to assure all parents that our games remain safe and will continue to be available to our kids so that they can enjoy a wholesome activity in this county."

Wood was scheduled to work the game by the South Atlanta Basketball Officials, which is run by Phil Sisk, who started the group when he became upset with officials missing games when his children played youth sports in Fayette County.

Sisk said Wood was also a trained high school referee and received much training on how to deal with irate coaches and parents. Sisk added that he wouldn't have used Wood without knowing he was a competent referee.

"Situations like this are very rare and also very unfortunate," Sisk said. "Usually, it's the referee who ends up being attacked."

Wood is a minister and substitute teacher and bus driver, Sisk added.

According to police, the incident began after the game when Wood and an assistant coach got into an argument. The assistant coach apparently wanted to fill out a form to complain about the officiating during the game, Kirkbride said.

Sweeney tried to break up the argument and got cut in the process, police said.

Wood left the gym to dispose of the knife and was arrested without incident when he came back inside, Kirkbride said. He also told police where the knife was on a nearby playground, where a child could have found it, Kirkbride added.

All games at Spring Hill have been cancelled until further notice, according to the FCYBA website.

Sweeney received approximately 17-18 stitches to close the wound.

Although the event was not held by the Fayette County School System, the schools offered counseling to any students who witnessed the incident.

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