Minneapolis high school coach charged with having sex with student
David Chanen, Star Tribune

Published March 29, 2003 BETT29


The wrestling coach at Southwest High School in Minneapolis was
charged Friday with having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old
female student at the school.

Eric J. Bettermann, 31, of Maplewood told investigators that he knew
the yearlong relationship was "wrong and a big mistake," according to
a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.

The student said the relationship started at a wrestling tournament
in Michigan. They continued to meet to have sex at hotels and his
home, the complaint said.

Police were notified by the girl's parents after they found a printed
e-mail from Bettermann on a home computer, said Minneapolis police
Lt. Mike Sauro. Police don't think there are other victims, he said.

Bettermann was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Bettermann was expected to turn himself in, authorities said.

Calls to Bettermann weren't returned Friday evening.

He has coached at Southwest High for five or six years, said Margaret
Westin of the Minneapolis School District's legal counsel office. He
was on a yearly contract, and his contract for the school year has
expired, she said.

He passed the criminal background checks required by the district and
didn't have any complaints in his file, she said.

As the women's state director of MN/USA Wrestling, Bettermann
organized and coached wrestlers at tournaments throughout the United
States. MN/USA Wrestling is the state affiliate to USA Wrestling,
which is affiliated with the United States Olympic Committee.

MN/USA Wrestling has around 100 clubs, 4,300 wrestlers and 600
coaches, according to its Web site. Board chairman Bill Hinchley said
the board of directors would decide what action it might take against
Bettermann.

Bettermann wrestled as a heavyweight for the University of Minnesota
before helping Augsburg College in Minneapolis to a 16-0 dual-meet
record and the NCAA Division II team title in 1994. He was sixth
nationally in his weight class and was 87-8 in his last two seasons.

David Chanen is at dchanen@....

Return to top