By: Joe Strupp The principal of a West Virginia high school is suing a local daily paper for defamation of character, claiming that a columnist insinuated the principal sought to hurt the football team by hiring an inexperienced coach.
Principal Tom Newsome of Tug Valley High School in Naugatuck, W.V., and his wife, filed suit against the Williamson Daily News claiming defamation of character, according to WBOY-TV's Web site. Earlier this season, the station reports, several players quit the Tug Valley football team during a game because of a dispute with head coach Thomas Hoffman.
The Daily News printed a controversial column in early October by sports editor J-L Ball. Newsome's attorney told the TV station the article implied his client and the Mingo County Board of Education hired an inexperienced coach on purpose to destroy the football team. He says the column also accuses his client of not caring about students.
"In the complaint we have alleged that Newsome and his wife were defamed and subjected to ridicule and scorn and hatred as a result of the statements that were made in the article," Newsome's attorney Charles West told the TV station.
Daily News Publisher Sandra Hurley stands by the column. "We will diligently fight against that," she told WBOY. "And honestly look at our action of countersuing for expenses in this matter."
Newsome and his wife are seeking general and compensatory damages and punitive damages in an amount to be determined by a jury.
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