Mayor’s office responds to complaints about Elkhart coach’s ride

Tribune Staff Report

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Elkhart Memorial High School basketball coach Mark Barnhizer was arrested Friday, March 13. 2009 and booked into the Elkhart County Jail on preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Mar 25, 2009 at 12:03 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 25, 2009 at 12:03 PM EST

ELKHART — Mayor Dick Moore issued a statement Wednesday responding to complaints he received about the ride to Michigan City given to the Memorial Chargers basketball coach at tournament time after he had bonded out of jail.

"If you have never gotten caught up in this thing called ‘Hoosier Hysteria,’ I can understand being concerned about the incident," Moore said. "Nothing tells me that it was for the coach. All indications are that it is about the team and the fans," Moore said. "A team that was representing our entire area, playing well, and some would say deserving of our support. A team that would be expected to play better with their head coach and mentor on the bench. A team that had nothing to do with the possible absence of their coach during the most important game of the year. A team that if defeated would have no second chance."

Boys basketball coach Mark Barnhizer was arrested about 10:15 p.m. March 13 in Elkhart County on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license, police said, although a breath test given to Barnhizer showed he had no alcohol in his system.

The Elkhart County prosecutor’s office filed formal charges against Barnhizer last week, for operating while intoxicated and driving while suspended, both misdemeanors.

Moore said last week that once he went through the "investigative report" he had requested from the police chief, he would comment more on the issue in regards to why police drove the coach to the game more than 55 miles one way.

In today’s statement, the mayor said the request was made, and the police department, always working with the school administration, replied in kind.

Was there an error in judgment?

"Probably so," the mayor said. "Was it life threatening? No. Did it put our city in grave danger. Not likely. Is there a written policy for such requests? No."

The mayor said he regrets this has caused concern among some of their citizens and will act accordingly to prevent another incident like this from happening.

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