Harvard trio facing charges allowed to play

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Three Harvard football players have been allowed to compete with the team despite facing charges in connection with a DUI accident in which a pedestrian was hit by a car.

Brian Koester, Austin Bielski and Patrick Towne, all of whom are 17-year-old seniors, were charged Aug. 9 in Crystal Lake when police said the red 2000 Chevrolet pickup Koester was driving struck a 16-year-old pedestrian.

The incident happened two days before the start of football practice Aug. 11.

Harvard athletic director Scott Striegel said he could not discuss personnel matters, but added that “any infraction that happens before the season does not count against [an athlete]." However, the District 50 Code of Conduct, from the district's website, states: "The Code of Conduct below describes the expectations and goals of the extracurricular and athletic programs and will be enforced 365 days a
year, 24 hours a day."

All three players started for the Hornets on Friday when they defeated Big Foot (of Walworth, Wis.), 15-7, in the season opener. Big Foot was 27-1 over the past two seasons and won the Wisconsin Division 4 state championship last year. Bielski scored Harvard’s lone touchdown in the victory.

Koester is facing a felony charge of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, which carries a sentence ranging from probation to as much as three years in prison.

Koester also is charged with driving under the influence in connection with the crash. He is scheduled to appear in McHenry County Court on Friday, the same day the Hornets will play at Lakes.

Bielski and Towne both were charged with underage drinking in connection with the incident. Their cases have been assigned to McHenry County traffic court and they could face suspension or revocation of their licenses if convicted, Crystal Lake police Cmdr. Dan Dziewior said.

According to police reports, police stopped Koester’s vehicle after a passerby saw the truck hit a pedestrian at Route 14 and McHenry Avenue and called police with the license plate number and a description of the truck. Bielski and Towne were riding in the vehicle when it was stopped.

A message was left with Harvard principal Rob Zielinski on Monday, but he could not be reached for comment.

NOTE TO READERS: This story has been edited from its original version to add a passage from District 50's Code of Conduct as published on the district's website.