DENMARK -- Denmark-Olar High School's head football coach and athletics director resigned Thursday following an investigation by the South Carolina High School League that determined he allowed ineligible players to play on the varsity football team.

Willie A. "Tony" Felder was notified by the school district Wednesday that he was being relieved of his coaching and athletics director duties and placed on administrative leave with pay in his teaching duties. Felder submitted a letter of resignation to the Bamberg County School District Two (Denmark-Olar) office Thursday.

Superintendent Dr. Secaida Howell announced that William Thompson, a district employee, has been named acting head coach and will work on the sidelines for tonight's home game against Allendale-Fairfax.

"On Wednesday, Oct. 11, the South Carolina High School League advised me of certain concerns about their varsity football program at Denmark-Olar High School," Howell said in a statement released Thursday. "The League, at my request, conducted an investigation to determine if ineligible players had been allowed to play.

"While we are disappointed to learn that ineligible players were allowed to play boys' varsity football team, we are confident that our decision to self-report this matter to the League was in the best interest of our district, the high school and our players.

 "High school athletics are an extension of our educational program. Our students learn discipline and character and they participate in interscholastic sports. Any appearance of rule violations or disregards for student well-being, academic or physical, is unacceptable.

"At this time, we have placed the head coach on administrative leave with pay, pending our review of the circumstances which resulted in these developments. As to our relationship with the League, we are meeting to determine the impact, if any, this will have on our athletic program. At this time, we are hopeful that our self-reporting will be considered by the League as they review this matter.

"In closing, we ask for the public's continued support of our district, our schools and most importantly, our students as we work through this difficult period. Of course, we will make additional public comments as circumstances warrant."

Howell said the District Two trustees fully agreed with the actions taken with Felder, whose Vikings were 2-5 overall and 0-2 in Region 5-A entering tonight's contest against Allendale-Fairfax. Felder was hired in May by the district Board of Trustees six months after being relieved of his duties at Orangeburg-Wilkinson.

In three seasons with the Bruins, Felder posted a 16-17 record. Prior to O-W, Felder coached five seasons from 1998-2002 at Benedict College, where he compiled a 21-32 record. About three years after his departure in 2002, however, the NCAA Division II Committee placed the Benedict Tigers' program on three years' probation until April 11, 2008, and forced Benedict to forfeit victories from the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons for a number of violations, including the use of ineligible players, and a "lack of institutional control".

Felder did lead Fairfield-Central to the Class 3-A championship in 1997 and enjoyed successful coaching runs at North and Calhoun County, where he earned T&D Region Coach of the Year honors in 1992 and 1996.

In a letter sent to district parents and guardians dated Oct. 11, Denmark-Olar High School Principal David Yates said the district regretted the unfortunate situation and is currently in the process of finding a suitable replacement for Felder.

"We would very much appreciate your continued support and patience in this matter," Yates wrote.

In a further statement Thursday, Yates said, "While the situation with Mr. Felder is unfortunate, we must put the interest of our boys and girls as our top priority. We look forward to restoring our athletic program and face the many challenges that lie ahead."

With his resignation, Felder becomes the third football coach in three years to voluntarily leave Denmark-Olar. His predecessor, Jim Staton, resigned after one season, citing numerous complaints and a lack of support from administrative leaders.

Staton succeeded Wayne Farmer, who resigned in 2005 after four seasons to become the head football coach and athletics director at Allendale-Fairfax. In a bit of irony, Farmer makes his return with the Tigers as Denmark-Olar's "Homecoming" opponent at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

 T&D Correspondent Vic Whetstone can be reached by e-mail at vwhets@bellsouth.net or by phone at 803-793-3402. T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant also contributed to this story. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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