Published: January 02, 2009 10:58 pm         

Ex-grid coach Foli arrested after standoff

CLINTON — A former Wabash Valley coach and athletic director was arrested New Year’s Day after discharging a firearm at a Vermillion County business.

Rene A. Foli, 63, Terre Haute, was arrested on an allegation of criminal recklessness, a class-D felony, after authorities negotiated with him for about three hours at the scene of White Construction, 11993 S. Indiana 63 in Clinton.

According to a media release issued by the Indiana State Police, troopers and Vermillion County deputies responded to a 911 call advising them an intoxicated man with a firearm was at the White Construction offices about 5:42 p.m. Thursday.

Upon arrival, officers found Foli inside one of the exterior office trailers, refusing to exit and threatening to harm himself and the officers.

According to the release, Foli was an employee of the business and despondent over family issues.

He was reportedly in possession of two handguns and allegedly fired one round inside the trailer before police arrived.

ISP negotiators communicated with Foli for about three hours before he surrendered.

Foli formerly coached football at Sullivan, Clinton and South Vermillion High Schools, and served as an assistant coach at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and athletic director at South Vermillion.

He remained in the Vermillion County Jail in Newport on Friday without bail.