Payson Roundup

Editor:

I was a little surprised at the Christmas Day story in the Payson Roundup written by Alexis Bechman. It appears as though Ryan Abraham the “provoker” was at fault in this scuffle. I have known Ryan for several years and he has worked for me on several occasions. If I could pick a son from all the young men I have known it would be Ryan. He is not some dope smoking, beer guzzling, fight provoking, sleazy creep like the real troublemakers in school. He is an honest, clean, thoughtful, kind and considerate young man. He attends the Payson Bible Fellowship regularly and listens carefully.

What if everyone who is provoked reacted as violently as this coach who was cited for “grabbing”? Who thought up this charge against Coach Koppenhafer? I cannot find “grabbing” in any legal dictionary. However “assault” is found in all of them.

The other question I have concerning Mr. Koppenhafer is the time frame for reporting the incident. If it happened on Monday, Dec. 7 and was not reported at all by the coach, he must not have thought it that serious. Yet charges are brought against the young Mr. Abraham for “provoking” three days later on Thursday, Dec. 10 when Ryan’s father reported the beat down.

I also understand that because of a surgical procedure on his foot, Ryan Abraham was unable to continue on the wrestling team. Apparently the coach had made some “provoking” comments to Ryan about being a quitter in front of other wrestlers. If Ryan followed the teacher’s example when “provoked,” would it be OK for him to grab/assault his teacher?

The Payson High School wrestling team is outstanding and deserves credit for hard work. Perhaps Mr. Koppenhafer has done an excellent job in coaching these young men. However, his example as a teacher/coach of a lack of control in physically assaulting a student is deplorable.

I sincerely hope I have provoked some people in our community to consider using some self control when provoked and not assault each other.

If I did not know Ryan Abraham and read the article in the Roundup I would think Ryan a troublemaker. Why wasn’t Ryan suspended from PHS if he caused the problem?

Call me old-fashioned, but I’d rather have a good example than a great coach on our staff at PHS.

Mike Amundson