Brecksville youth wrestling coach banned following altercation

by Melissa Martin

The Buckeye Wrestling Association has issued a lifetime ban to a Brecksville parent and coach who attacked a referee during a recent youth wrestling tournament at North Olmsted High School.

William Dies, 38, was cited for disorderly conduct by the North Olmsted Police Department following the altercation, which took place around 3:50 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium on Feb. 1. 

The BWA ban prohibits Dies from attending any future association events, even as a spectator. The referee involved in the incident has since been pulled from officiating the last two BWA events this past month for his safety. 

According to North Olmsted police, surveillance cameras captured the incident, in which a brief exchange between Dies and referee Gavin Beasley can be seen before Dies bends down and lunges toward the official. The referee then appears to fight back against Dies before onlookers separate the two men. No injuries were reported. 

Police said Dies, who was identified as the parent in the video, was not only acting as a parent that day, but was also assisting the coach of the Brecksville youth team. The referee told police that Dies “started to cuss at him and get belligerent” before Dies threw the first punch.

In a statement made to police after the altercation, Dies said he was upset because he believed his son was put into an illegal choke during his match. He also told police he confronted the referee after the event and told him the choke could have injured his son.

As a result of the incident, the association also placed the Brecksville wrestling team on probation with a zero-tolerance policy should any incidents arise over the next year.

“We are embarrassed by this incident, and it does not represent the goals and values of the Buckeye Wrestling Association,” the association said in a statement. “We apologize to those kids/parents that may have been negatively affected by this incident.”

The altercation occurred as Ohio lawmakers consider House Bill 79, a bipartisan measure that would increase penalties for assaults on sports officials. State Rep. Bill Roemer, a Republican from Richfield who introduced the bill, said 70% of referees leave the job within three years because of abuse from fans, coaches and players. The bill is currently being heard in the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee.

Under current law, attacking a sports official can result in a simple assault charge. The proposed legislation would make a first offense a misdemeanor with a $1,500 fine and 40 hours of community service. A second offense would be a felony.In this case, Beasley opted not to press charges.