CW Dent was approved in March at the HCBOE meeting to coach sports in the county. He disclosed a misdemeanor possession charge from April 2018. The county signed off on it and sent it to the state level for approval. His background check was then submitted. There were minor misdemeanors (not involving children, abuse, or any violent charges). The misdemeanors were from 2009-2018 and more minor than the possession charge that was disclosed. CW was in the throes of active addiction during this time and simply had forgotten about these minor charges.

CW is nearly 4 yrs clean and has changed his life around! CW wrote a disclosure for each charge that came back, explaining each arrest. The state Board of Education determined there was no need to investigate any further and cleared him to coach Middle and High School sports in the state of WV. CW received notification via email stating he was certified as of March 27, 2023. CW kept book for SHHS baseball the entire season, waiting to be notified and appointed as an unpaid volunteer Asst Coach. On April 27th, he was notified that the HCBOE Superintendent “changed her mind” and decided he is not permitted to coach in Harrison County! She felt he was being dishonest by not disclosing misdemeanors such as “joyriding”, “acquisition of cable TV”, and an additional “simple posession” charge.  She has been made fully aware that he has been actively going into multiple Middle and High Schools in the county and speaking with the student bodies on overdose awareness and sharing his personal experiences and story! She has yet to meet CW or visit any of these schools to listen to his message and see the connection he is making with the students! 

CW is wanting to meet with her and the entire HCBOE representatives to be reconsidered for this volunteer coaching position! He understands this season is coming to an end. His dreams of coaching, however, have not. When the team was notified of him not being approved, there were many tears shed from these teenage boys!! This is not as much about CW coaching as it is of the youth, breaking the stigma of addiction and recovery, and of course doing what is right and just!!