Hobart middle school wrestler injured, coach accused
by Lori Caldwell lcaldwell@post-trib.com December 7, 2012 5:32PM
Ellis, Mike HB 2004 Hobart Football
Updated: January 9, 2013 6:09AM
HOBART — A Hobart Middle School coach could be charged next week in connection with an injury suffered by a member of the wrestling team.
School City of Hobart Superintendent Peggy Buffington said Michael Ellis, a physical education and health teacher who coaches the track and wrestling teams at the middle school, “is not working with students during the investigation.”
She declined to elaborate, saying only that school officials were cooperating with police.
Ellis, 44, of Hobart, has not been arrested, police spokesman Cpl. Jeremy Ogden said.
Detective Nicholas Wardrip investigated the allegations and presented his findings to the Lake County prosecutor. He said a decision is expected next week.
The incident occurred Dec. 1 during wrestling practice. The student athlete later sought medical attention, sources said.
Ellis was charged last year with two counts of misdemeanor battery after he was identified as an assailant in a bar fight in downtown Hobart.
As part of a plea agreement, one count was dismissed and Ellis agreed to obtain anger management counseling. Prosecution on other count was deferred, but if Ellis is charged in this matter, that case could be reinstated.
