County imposes one-year probation on sports director

Catoosa commissioners last week updated the county’s policies on using athletic facilities and also handed down a one-year probation sanction against Ringgold Youth Sports Association President Earl Epps.

Both issues stem from a sixmonth-long dispute over Epps’ alleged misuse of gym facilities, which ultimately led to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation probe over the summer.

In April, county officials claimed they received complaints that Epps was running a separate league outside of RYSA. They ultimately yanked his access to the Poplar Springs gym while they sorted out the allegations.

While the GBI investigated the matter, dozens of Catoosa County youth basketball players associated with Epps’ “Thunder” teams were denied access to county gyms as well.

The allegations included claims that Epps was running the separate league for his own benefit, dictating who could use the gym, publicizing the Poplar Springs Gym as “Earl Epps Gym,” and that gym property was damaged on his watch.

The District Attorney’s Office ultimately found no criminal wrongdoing on the part of Epps; however, the county decided to revamp its policies and procedures in attempt to streamline how the facilities will be used moving forward.

During Tuesday night’s (Sept. 19) Board of Commissioners’ meeting, Epps again voiced his displeasure with the situation and the imposed probation.

“Probation is meant to study someone’s character or their abilities,” Epps said. “I’ve been doing this, my role in the county volunteering for 20 years probably or so. Y’all need to evaluate that. I’ve watched so many criminal actions take place at our facilities, at our gyms, at our ball fields, in our league, and I’ve never seen our commissioners try to come down on any parent, any coach, or any one of us like this. If y’all want to put me on probation, what law did I break? They did an investigation. ... What county policy did I violate? There’s none.”

Epps said what bothers him the most were accusations that he verbally abused players and used racial slurs while coaching.

“I would run 1,000 kids through this door that would contradict that statement,” Epps said. “That is the most ludicrous thing I’ve ever seen in my life said about me. It’s just disturbing.”

County Attorney Chad Young says the new policies will make sure gym usage will be the same for all the recreation leagues.

“This resolution to adopt the updated policies and procedures “If y’all want to put me on probation, what law did I break? They did an investigation. ... What county policy did I violate? There’s none.” — Earl Epps, Ringgold Youth Sports Association president