Police give coach lift to game after jail release

**Terminator** · 03-19-09, 05:01 PM

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) -- Elkhart police gave a high school boys basketball coach a lift to a game in Michigan City after he bonded out of jail following an arrest on a charge of driving while intoxicated.
Elkhart police said Wednesday that Assistant Chief Tim Balyeat authorized an officer to pick up Elkhart Memorial coach Mark Barnhizer from the jail Saturday and drive him to the regional tournament game about 45 miles away. The ride was given at the request of Elkhart Community Schools, said Lt. Ed Windbigler.
"We felt you shouldn't penalize 10 young adults for the mistakes of one person," Balyeat said. He said the lift was warranted due to the impact the schools and athletics have on the community.
Doug Thorne, Elkhart Community Schools' director of employee and student relations, said the district was reviewing the matter. A phone at the district office rang unanswered when The Associated Press called seeking comment Wednesday evening.
Barnhizer made it to the game with about six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Elkhart lost to Munster, 48-39.
The police car did not use lights and sirens on its way to the game and no overtime was necessary, Balyeat said.
Barnhizer was arrested Friday night after a sheriff's deputy pulled him over for an unsafe lane change. Barnhizer passed a blood-alcohol test but was arrested after police did a drug-recognition test. Barnhizer has said he takes prescription methadone for pain management.
Prosecutor filed misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated and driving while suspended against Barnhizer on Tuesday.
Barnhizer could not be reached for comment Wednesday night because there was no phone number under his name in published listings for Elkhart.

**Caveman** · 03-19-09, 05:08 PM

"The ride was given at the request of Elkhart Community Schools, said Lt. Ed Windbigler.
"We felt you shouldn't penalize 10 young adults for the mistakes of one person," Balyeat said."

Interesting.. I know their playing the double edge sword with community relations, but I have to say if they were to arrest a pizza delivery guy would they deliver the pizzas for him. I think not but then again why should hungry people be penalized for the mistakes of one person

**swaggon** · 03-19-09, 06:43 PM

Basketball is to Hoosiers as cake is to fat kids.

**jmur5074** · 03-19-09, 08:35 PM

I'm no DRE, but I've never seen Methadone prescribed as a pain reliever. I know it CAN be used for pain....but I've never seen it happen.

I have a hard time believing he was taking it for "pain."

**Xiphos** · 03-19-09, 09:14 PM

He barely made it before the end of the game. Wasted effort to set a precedence for being a taxi service.

**Five-0** · 03-19-09, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

I'm no DRE, but I've never seen Methadone prescribed as a pain reliever. I know it CAN be used for pain....but I've never seen it happen.

I have a hard time believing he was taking it for "pain."

It gets him over the pain of withdrawals from the other Opiates he has been popping while coaching the boys.

**lewisipso** · 03-20-09, 05:02 AM

What a joke. Our local police department caters to the local private catholic school sports team. Anything they need it's done at taxpayers expense. Specifically,,escorts and security. Sorry Cap.