Coach Slapped Student, Leaving Him with Concussion

A wrestling coach at Norwich Free Academy faces serious charges after allegedly slapping

a student across the face during practice.

38-year-old Steve Nelson from Monville got arrested on April 16 for third degree assault

and risk of injury to a minor.

The incident left the boy with a concussion, discovered when he woke up vomiting after

heading home.

This all went down during winter break in the school's cardio room while the team was

on exercise bikes.

Nelson reportedly told the kid to speed up since he wasn't matching the group's effort.

The boy made a quick joke saying, 6-7.

And that's when police say Nelson smacked him open-handed.

The student walked home dealing with neck pain and a headache, took a nap, then threw

up from the effects, cops spotted a red mark under his eye, turning into a bruise.

Schoolhead Dr. Nathan Questnell put Nelson on administrative leave right after learning

about it.

When Nelson claims he aimed for the shoulder butt, missed, even saying he apologized on

the spot, investigators talked to witnesses, including other wrestlers who said they didn't

see the slap.

But one revealed a Snapchat group chat, where the team supposedly plotted a consistent

story to back the coach.

Nelson held off on a written statement, waiting for his union rep.

Nelson's out on a $10,000 non-surety bond, and his court day got pushed to May 26 in

North Superior Court, with no plea, entered yet.

The investigation's wrapping details, but this case highlights tough questions around

coaching discipline.

I'm Corey, with the story.

That's your heart for news today update, AI powered and always on.