Topsail High School volunteer assistant baseball coach suspended pending internal investigation
PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - A Topsail High School volunteer assistant baseball coach is suspended while Pender County Schools investigates an alleged altercation.
The alleged altercation happened after a game against North Brunswick High School on Friday night, according to Pender County Schools.
A spokesperson for PCS says Coach Shayne Frey has been suspended pending the district’s investigation. The spokesperson says Frey will not be allowed to have any contact with the team during the investigation.
A video sent to WECT appeared to show Frey getting into an altercation with a North Brunswick coach during the postgame handshake line. The spokesperson said the district was aware of the incident and could not comment on active personnel investigations.
According to Pender County Schools, Frey is a volunteer coach and has no teaching responsibilities in the district.
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office told WECT Tuesday morning that the “victim was advised of his right to file charges but we did not make an arrest in this incident.” The sheriff’s office added that there will be no BCSO investigation if the victim does not press charges.
Pender County Schools released the following statement in relation to the incident:
Pender County Schools is aware of an incident that occurred during Topsail High School’s baseball game at North Brunswick on April 19, 2024, and is actively investigating the matter.
In light of this incident, Assistant Coach Shayne Frey has been suspended from all coaching duties pending the outcome of the investigation. Mr. Frey, a volunteer assistant coach, is not employed as a teacher at any Pender County School.
During his suspension, Mr. Frey will not be permitted to attend practice, workouts, or any other team gatherings or activities. He will only be allowed to resume coaching upon receiving written permission from both Pender County Schools and Topsail High School.
Coach Frey’s actions are in violation of the following bullet points within the Pender County Schools Coaches Code of Ethics:
- The coach shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession. In all personal contact with students, parents, officials, athletic directors, school administrators, the media, and the public, the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.
- The coach shall exert his or her influence to enhance sportsmanship.
In addition, this act violates NCHSAA (North Carolina Athletic Association) policies 2.5.6.b, 2.5.7c, and 2.5.7.h, which cover coach conduct and expectations.
Pender County Schools remains committed to fostering a culture of sportsmanship and ethical conduct within all athletic programs. We take any violations of our code of ethics and NCHSAA policies seriously and will ensure appropriate actions are taken following a thorough investigation.
For any inquiries regarding law enforcement involvement, we defer to the appropriate agencies handling the investigation.
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