Football player's dad jailed for hitting kid who ran onto field

[matcom]

<snip>

The father of Merrill High School's starting quarterback spent the weekend in jail and faces charges of child abuse and disorderly conduct after authorities say he punched a student who ran onto the field during Friday's game.

Several scantily clad students ran onto or across the field at Stiehm Stadium during D.C. Everest High School's homecoming game against Merrill, according to police reports and witness accounts. One student wearing only tight purple underwear, a cape and shoes ran across the field as Merrill's team was kicking for an extra point.

Bobby Grunenwald, who is the father of Merrill's quarterback and kicker, became upset because he thought the prank distracted his son, Alex, and made Alex miss the extra point, according to the criminal complaint. The elder Grunenwald then left his seat in the bleachers, assaulted the student and swore at him, police say.
Witnesses told police they heard Grunenwald tell the student, "Because of you ... my son just missed the extra point," before striking the student in the face with a closed fist.

Grunenwald, 50, of W2546 Highway G in Merrill, made an initial appearance Monday afternoon in Marathon County court on the charges. If convicted, the felony charge of child abuse carries a possible penalty of six years in prison.

As part of a condition of his $2,000 bond, Grunenwald is not allowed to attend his son's games unless he receives permission from the school's principal. He was released Monday from the Marathon County Jail.

The 17-year-old student who was hit was bleeding from his mouth after the incident, according to the criminal complaint. He told police Friday night he thought his only injuries were cuts inside his mouth.

A school staff member stopped the teen after he ran onto the field, and then told police about the incident. Police cited the teen for disorderly conduct.
Police escorted Grunenwald from Friday's game to a waiting squad car, then took him to the Marathon County Jail, where he remained until his court appearance Monday.

After apologizing to police, Grunenwald told officers he had lost his temper and admitted the incident "was a very dumb thing to do," according to the criminal complaint.
Everest defeated Merrill 34-23.

The students who ran onto the field are facing discipline from the school district, said Jack Overgaard, athletic director for the D.C. Everest School District.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhlocal/288690870426948.shtml

[johnnie]

1. Idiot

They should just get rid of sports in school.

[In_The_Wind]

2. Any Adult Who Hits Someone's Child Should Face Charges!

The man is too old to act like an undisciplined child.