Athlete Slapped By Stanley County Track Coach At Meet

(Todd County, SD) — Witnesses say a Stanley County High School student was “slapped in the face” by his track coach at a meet. Fifty-three-year-old Buffaloes head coach Scott Van Den Hemel had a verbal exchange with the student on April 14th. The coach then slapped the boy in the face after the boy said something in response. Several students sent the boy’s mother videos of the assault. According to her, Van Den Hemel apologized to her son on April 24th, and was allowed to resume coaching duties after a week’s suspension.