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School's athletic director arrested on battery charges

Freedom High assistant principal Frank Oliver is charged in a domestic dispute.

By EMILY NIPPS
Published December 21, 2005

TAMPA - An assistant principal and athletic director of Freedom High School was arrested Monday, accused of assaulting his wife and wife's daughter at his home on Sunday.

Frank Oliver, 53, turned himself in after what Hillsborough deputies say was a domestic dispute that began at a party Saturday night.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter, citing the arrest affidavit, said Oliver became angry at his wife at the party and grabbed her left arm, causing bruises. Oliver's wife left the party and then went with a friend to the couples' home at 4918 Lowell Road on Sunday morning to gather her belongings.

Oliver became irate, and told the friend to leave. But the friend did not leave, and Oliver punched his wife in the face, deputies said.

When his wife's 24-year-old daughter tried to intervene, Oliver pushed the daughter in the face, knocking her to the ground and injuring her elbow, according to the report.

Oliver could not be reached for comment.

A former pro football player, Oliver played two seasons as a defensive back in the NFL, including four games as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 1976 inaugural team. He began working for the Hillsborough County School District in 1977 and became assistant principal and athletic director at Freedom in 2002.

Schools spokesman Steve Hegarty said district officials were aware of the Oliver's arrest, and will be gathering the facts before deciding what action is warranted. "Fortunately, we have the luxury of being off for two weeks, so nothing needs to be decided right away," he said.

Oliver was released from Orient Road Jail on $500 bail. He is charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery.

[Last modified December 21, 2005, 00:51:17]