CITY | STATE
Player reported four instances of sexual assault
Woodlands coach accused of abuse dead
The Woodlands High School’s softball coach apparently killed himself after being accused of sexually abusing one of his players, authorities said Friday.
The Woodlands High School’s championshipwinning softball coach died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head hours after being accused of sexually abusing one of his players, authorities said Friday.
Richard Jorgensen, 54, wanted on felony charges, was found slumped in his Ford F-250 by police officers on a desolate road along the Sabine Pass about 10:30 p.m. Thursday, officials said. He had been dead for hours.
The apparent suicide comes amid an escalating problem of improper relationships between educators and students in Texas. The number of reported cases has increased steadily since 2010, prompting state lawmakers to hold hearings recently.
“It’s a tragedy,” said Matthew Rodrigue, chief deputy of the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, which issued the warrant. “There are no winners here.”
Jorgensen came under scrutiny Thursday when one of his players reported to authorities that she had been sexually abused by
the longtime coach and teacher, authorities said.
In an arrest warrant affidavit, the girl alleged Jorgensen sexually assaulted her four times, the Conroe Courier reported. The girl alleged that Jorgensen kissed and touched her inappropriately on several occasions and then tried to have intercourse with her Wednesday at his Woodlands home, about 2 miles from the school, but she said no, according to the affidavit.
Before the warrant was issued, school officials escorted Jorgensen from campus and placed him on administrative leave, Conroe ISD spokeswoman Sarah Wood said.
Jorgensen’s body, with a 270-caliber rifle nearby, was found near his hometown of Port Arthur. He is survived by a wife and three children, including one who plays softball for Dartmouth College.
Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Brad Burnett said Jorgensen came from a well-known and well-liked family and that the death has been a “sudden shock.”
The news also stunned those at the 4,100-student high school in the wealthy Montgomery County suburb and his colleagues in the coaching ranks. He led the Highlanders to a state title with a 44-1 record in 2011, and the team was poised to reach the playoffs for the 12th straight season.
“It’s kind of disbelief,” said Randy Knight, who coaches the softball team at Cypress Creek High. “It’s just like, why would you get involved with that situation?”
A professional boxer’s son, Jorgensen hadn’t seen a softball game when he agreed in 1997 to coach the junior varsity team at Austin Westlake High. His first teams struggled because he wasn’t connecting with his players — “probably because I was trying to treat them too much like girls,” he told the Conroe Courier last year.
At The Woodlands, where Jorgensen had coached since 2004, he was known for his ability to be tough yet have fun. His program produced dozens of scholarship athletes.
Billy Hicks, who coached softball at high schools in Louisiana and Texas for 24 years, wrote in an email that his players liked Jorgensen, too, because he treated them with respect.
“No matter who won the games, we always were able to visit together and enjoy our sport after the games were over,” said Hicks, who considered Jorgensen to be one of his closest friends.
Jorgensen also taught social studies. Students said they were angry and sad about the news.
“Everyone is really conflicted right now,” said Aubrey MacMillan, a junior. “We don’t know a lot. We’re trying to get through it together.”
In a letter to parents, the school’s principal, Gregg Colschen, said counseling services were available for students. He also wrote: “We will remain vigilant in investigating any and all reports that might affect the well being of students or staff.”
The softball team was scheduled to play Oak Ridge High on Friday, but the game was postponed indefinitely. Its next game is scheduled for Tuesday against Summer Creek High.