CNY volunteer boys lacrosse coach arrested for attempted assault on Syracuse City player

A volunteer boys lacrosse coach from Central New York was arrested last week after being accused of assaulting a Syracuse City player during a game in May.

Richard Knight, 38, of Whitesboro, was charged with third-degree attempted assault and endangering the welfare of a child, both felonies, Whitesboro Police Chief John Scholl said in a news release.

Knight was arrested June 12 and released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Village of Whitesboro Court at a later date, the release said.

Knight, a volunteer assistant coach for the Whitesboro modified boys lacrosse team, was accused of using “aggressive actions” during a game against Syracuse West on May 17 at Chiz Frye Stadium.

During the game, Scholl said there was an altercation between players from both teams. Knight was accused of trying to assault a Syracuse West player during the altercation.

Scholl declined to reveal exactly what action Knight took.

Whitesboro athletic director Thomas Meiss declined to say what actions the district would take against Knight or whether he would still be allowed to coach for the school.

He said he cannot discuss “personnel matters” with “current or former employees or volunteers” who are under investigation.

James Palumbo, athletics supervisor for Syracuse City Schools, said in a May 21 letter to parents that Meiss and the Whitesboro district were investigating the incident and planned to confront Whitesboro players for their actions during the game.

Meiss did not say if any players were suspended, but the Whitesboro team played a game against Central Square on May 23.

The team finished the season with the exception of two games against Syracuse City teams. A June 4 game at Henninger and a rematch against Syracuse West on June 6 at Clary Middle School were canceled.

Palumbo also said all Syracuse players involved in the incident were being assessed for possible penalties. He did not say what or if action was taken against the Syracuse players.

“I want to ensure that our athletic department continues to focus on building good sportsmanship and good character for all of our student-athletes,” Palumbo said in the letter to parents. “It is our expectation that all of our student-athletes will complete the remainder of the season while exhibiting these important characteristics. I am confident that our student-athletes will learn from this incident as they move forward as a team with a positive conclusion to the season.”

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