April 8, 20197 yr In a story that's started to garner some national attention, a local referee in Paducah was assaulted from behind yesterday while he was doing an AAU basketball game by a "Coach" from Flint, Michigan. The Coach was booked and released as the injuries to the ref were deemed to be minor. He was later taken to Vanderbilt in Nashville to treat injuries that aren't minor at all, including some bleeding on the brain. I happen to personally know the ref, as many in the state of Kentucky do. He travels and does multiple sports and has for probably nearly 40 years. He's probably the most well liked/respected official I've been around. You'll never hear a bad word about him. This event just reminded me of some of the posts in the past several months about Official/Coach/Parent interactions. There is already a shortage of quality sports officials. Things like this only continue to worsen the problem.
April 8, 20197 yr This ref is one of the nicest person anyone would ever meet. He officiates multiple sports and is a very likable guy and would not say anything negative to anybody.
April 8, 20197 yr Author This ref is one of the nicest person anyone would ever meet. He officiates multiple sports and is a very likable guy and would not say anything negative to anybody. 100% agree.
April 8, 20197 yr Regardless of the nature of his injuries, that coach needs to be heavily punished and have the book thrown at him. This is beyond unacceptable and he needs to be made an example of.
April 8, 20197 yr Author Regardless of the nature of his injuries, that coach needs to be heavily punished and have the book thrown at him. This is beyond unacceptable and he needs to be made an example of. Absolutely. This has to stop somehow. This is a good place to start showing everyone involved that there will be a heavy price to pay for such an occurrence.
April 8, 20197 yr Allow the legal system to handle. The coaches initial comments are sad but expected. Hope for a quick and speedy recovery. If found guilty I hope for a maximum enforced sentence. To me verbal abuse is what administrators in gyms need to crack down on hard. It's time.
April 17, 20197 yr His Charge was upgraded today 4/16/19 to a class C felony per the the Louisville courier journal.
April 17, 20197 yr The article also Said the referee has been released from the hospital after 9 days.
April 17, 20197 yr If you go to the McCracken Co. Sheriff's facebook page, the comments from people defending this guy are beyond ridiculous.
April 17, 20197 yr The article also Said the referee has been released from the hospital after 9 days. He spent 9 days in the hospital? Nobody spends 9 days in the hospital anymore. The perp needs some serious consequences.
April 17, 20197 yr The McCracken County Sheriff's Office released an update: Keyon Menifield, 40, of Flint Michigan, has been arrested again and his charges have been upgraded to felony assault on Mr. Kenny Culp, 60, of Paducah. Deputies initially responded to 6225 US Highway 60 West at approximately 22:42 on April 6, 2019, for an assault. Investigation revealed there had been a disagreement between Mr. Kenny Culp, referee, and a coach, Menifield. During the disagreement, the referee turned to walk away. As he did, Menifield punched the referee, knocking him unconscious. Menifield then fled the area prior to the arrive of deputies. Menifield was quickly located at a local hotel and taken into custody and arrested originally for assault 4th degree on a sports official. Based on the initial investigation and prior to having the medical facts that detectives have now discerned, the only charge that could be placed on Menifield was Assault 4th Degree on a sports official. Hours later while McCracken County Sheriff’s Office followed Mr. Culp's conditions, we became aware that Mr. Culp’s injuries were more severe than they were first believed to be after being medically evaluated. Some of these injuries required professional medical evaluations and equipment to make those determinations. After receiving the medical updates the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office began immediately forwarding those facts to the McCracken County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and consulting with them about taking Felony Assault Charges on Menifield. Based on the new medical facts, an arrest warrant was secured on Monday, April 8, 2019. Sheriff’s detectives made contact with authorities in Flint, Michigan and requested their assistance in locating and arresting Menifield. Despite their efforts, they were unsuccessful in locating Menifield. On April 16, 2019, at approximately 09:00 Menifield reported to his scheduled court appearance on the original charge and was taken into custody without incident on the Felony Assault 2nd Degree warrant. His bond at this time is $15,000.00. Menifield has criminal convictions for assault and drug trafficking. The previous assault convictions were not on other sports officials. Arrested Kenyon Menifield 40 years of age Of Flint Michigan Charges Assault 2nd Degree (Class C Felony) punishable up to 10 years in prison McCracken County Sheriff's Department - Home Page
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