Voyles replaces suspended coach

Until the investigation of Tim Stratton is complete, the Hudson football coach is also the weightlifting coach.

By JAMAL THALJI and JAMIE JONES
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 10, 2003

HUDSON -- Football coach Terry Voyles has taken over the boys weightlifting program after Monday's suspension of coach Tim Stratton, who is being investigated after he was accused of hitting a student.

"Terry Voyles will assume that responsibility until we reach a conclusion," Hudson principal Greg Wright said.

Voyles took the team to Wednesday's Class A, Section 5 qualifier at South Sumter, where the Cobras competed to qualify for the April 26 Class A state meet at Like Oak Suwannee.

Wright said that as soon as the Pasco County Sheriff's investigation is complete, the school district will launch its own investigation. Until then, a substitute teacher will fill in for Stratton's physical education classes and Voyles will direct the weightlifting team.

"We don't want to interfere in that process until they conclude their investigation," Wright said, "and then we initiate ours. We're hoping for some conclusion to (the sheriff's inquiry) in the next day or so. As soon as they're finished, we'll initiate ours."

According to Pasco County school district administrator Terry Rhum, a male student accused Stratton of striking him with a stick or some type of paddle while weightlifting at the school Friday. The student's parent complained to the school Monday and reported the incident. Hudson officials, in conjunction with the school district, placed the 27-year-old Stratton on paid leave until the Pasco County Sheriff's Office completed its investigation of the incident.

Stratton, who is also an assistant football coach, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Rhum told the Times on Tuesday that the coach had not yet had a chance to tell his side of the story. Voyles declined to comment. Sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll said his agency would not comment on its investigation.

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