The Walker County school system issued a statement Monday afternoon concerning the arrest of three coaches charged with having alcohol on school grounds at a football game at Southeast Whitfield High School Friday night.

Superintendent of Schools Melissa Mathis, director of personnel Craig Davoulas, and principal of LaFayette High School Roger Hibbs are among those looking into the allegations of misconduct by the coaches and investigating the incident that occurred.

Norm Hodge, head golf coach; Rob Neal, head boy’s basketball coach; and Michael Dunfee, baseball coach for LaFayette High School were each charged with possession of alcohol on school grounds on Friday.

Whitfield County sheriff deputies took the three coaches into custody after the men agreed to a breath test that determined they were at the game, in the press box, under the influence of alcohol.

A fourth man, Benjamin Neal, brother of Rob Neal, was also arrested and charged.

The four men were transported to the Whitfield County jail after being arrested, where an alcohol test was again preformed to determine the actual blood-alcohol level of each individual.

Robert (Rob) Neal had a reading of 0.026; Michael Dunfee had a reading of 0.032; Norman Hodge had a reading of 0.065; Benjamin Neal had a reading of 0.091.

Approximately 1½ hours elapsed before the tests were performed at the jail.

Davoulas said in the same written statement issued by Mathis that information concerning the internal investigation could not be released at this time as the investigation is ongoing and not concluded. Any release of information regarding this matter will be made at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner.

WALKER COUNTY MESSENGER