Cyclones cheer coach steps down

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: August 12, 2008

Three weeks before school starts, Nick Andrew Hanzivasilis, the newly appointed varsity cheerleading coach at Eastern View High School, resigned as coach effective Aug. 1.
However, the 23-year-old educator will remain with the school system as a math teacher at Eastern View.

The first day of school is Aug. 20.

The Culpeper County School Board accepted his resignation by a 5-1 vote during its regular meeting Monday evening.

Elizabeth Hutchins dissented, saying she didn’t have time to read an item on the consent agenda. Leanne Jenkins was absent.

Hanzivasilis, who earns $40,280 annually, began his career in Culpeper teaching math and coaching junior varsity cheerleaders at Culpeper County High School August 2007.

He was scheduled to transfer to the new high school this month.

Hanzivasilis pleaded guilty in Culpeper County General District Court on July 16 to driving under the influence of alcohol. Hanzivasilis, of the 11200 block of Torrie Way in Bealeton, was arrested May 2 on the Class 1 misdemeanor charge on Madison Road at 11:29 p.m., according to court records.

It was his first offense.

The judge sentenced Hanzivasilis to 30 days in jail but suspended the entire jail term. His driver’s license was also suspended for a year with restrictions.

According to court documents, Deputy G.K. Wyant of the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office said she observed Hanzivasilis northbound on Madison Road on May 2 as he swerved from the white fog line and twice crossed the double yellow solid lines.

During the traffic stop, Wyant said she smelled a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle.”

When Hanzivasilis exited, Wyant said, “He used the driver’s side of the vehicle door for balance.”

The deputy said she administered four sobriety tests, and Hanzivasilis “was unable to walk heel to toe. On the fourth step, he lost his balance and stumbled.”

Hanzivasilis’ blood alcohol content was .19, according to court documents.

The legal limit in Virginia is .08.

Under the court-appointed rules, Hanzivasilis is allowed to drive to and from work, court-ordered facilities and meetings, and can only use his vehicle during working hours.

His 2007 Hyundai four-door vehicle is also equipped with interlock restriction, a device that prevents a car from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath.

Hanzivasilis’ restricted license period started July 16 — the day he pleaded guilty in court — and concludes on July 15, 2009. He paid a $250 fine and $191 in court fees.

He is also an assistant manager at the Culpeper Recreation Club and teaches classes at Zamora’s Boxing Gym.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .