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Former J.P. McCaskey coach involved in 1996 sexual assault case


Brian Wallace of Lancaster Newspapers reported today that former J.P. McCaskey football coach and York County native David Given resigned from his position this spring at least in part because of past legal issues.

Wallace reports that in 1996, Given pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of a minor for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. Given was coaching in Arizona at the time.

Given moved back to the area from Arizona in spring 2009 to take the head coaching job at McCaskey. He went 1-9 last season, and resigned in April, he said, to care for his ailing wife.

Obviously, that wasn't the only issue. Wallace writes:

Given's offense never turned up when School District of Lancaster conducted state and federal criminal records checks and a child abuse clearance on him. It wasn't until last October -- five months after he was hired -- that Given's past became known to SDL officials when his application for an emergency teaching certificate turned up red flags.

The whole story is complex and well-reported, and certainly worth a read. Head here to check it out.