Edgewood athletic director on leave after allegations of ‘misconduct’ involving student

The athletic director for Edgewood Schools has been ordered on administrative leave in the wake of allegations of misconduct with a student.

Greg Brown was ordered on paid administrative leave “pending an investigation into possible misconduct specifically related to allegations that you engaged in unprofessional behavior involving a student,” according to documents obtained exclusively by the Journal-News through an Ohio public records request.

According to a Nov. 22 letter to Brown from Edgewood Schools Superintendent Russ Fussnecker, Brown was also told he was banned from school properties and ordered to turn in his building and office keys and his computer.

Brown was also told “to have no contact with any persons, other than your legal counsel regarding these allegations.”

There is no criminal investigation involving Brown, according to law enforcement officials.

The 52-year-old Brown, who earns $84,933 annually in the athletic director position he has held since 2016, did not respond to a message left seeking his comment.

Edgewood Schools Spokeswoman Pam Pratt said Tuesday “we are unable to comment on this matter as it is under investigation.”

Brown, a longtime district employee who also coached multiple teams and was a teacher, was reprimanded last year by the high school principal after Brown was alleged to have acknowledged an instance of public drinking.

In a Jan. 23, 2018 letter from Edgewood High School Principal Doug Geygan, Brown was told the written reprimand was due to an incident cited on Dec. 9, 2017, and “on that date you acknowledged attending a bar with several Edgewood coaches and taking multiple shots of alcohol to the point of not remembering what occurred that night.

“Your actions do not align to the athletic code of conduct and standards that you promote as the director of athletics. You are in a position with much responsibility and your charge is to always be professional, promote good sportsmanship and provide a safe environment for your coaches and student athletes.

“It is my expectation that you will conduct yourself in a professional manner with all coaches and student athletes under your supervision irrespective of where you are in and out of the building, what tasks of duties you are performing or how well you may know the students.

“Failure to do so will be considered an act of insubordination resulting in escalating disciplinary consequences up to and including termination.”

The Journal-News will report more as information becomes available.

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