Coach accused of attacking referee at basketball tournament

A Michigan basketball coach is facing charges after allegedly attacking a referee Saturday during a basketball tournament in western Kentucky.

The coach, Keyon Menifield, has been charged with assault of a sports official, according to the McCracken County sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office said there was a disagreement between Menifield and the referee, Kenny Culp. As Culp turned to walk away, Menifield punched Culp and knocked him unconscious. Police said Menifield fled the area but was later taken into custody at a local hotel.

Culp was transported to a local hospital. His niece, KaSondra Barnett, wrote on Facebook that Culp has a broken collarbone, a crack in his sinus cavity, and a concussion with brain bleeding.

Culp’s friend and fellow referee, Ronald Jenkins, shared the following photos:

Menifield posted an apology on Facebook, but has since made the post private. According to Nation of Blue, he said the referee called him a racist name.

The charge against Menifield is a class A misdemeanor. Julian Tackett, the commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, wrote on Facebook: “To the fullest extent of the law and maximum charges. The heck with a misdemeanor. Throw the book at them. Absolutely ridiculous.”

Shannon Oglesby, manager of the Paducah Regional Sports Plex, told the Louisville Courier Journal that the tournament was a basketball event for high school players.

Read more from this story.