40yo high-school teacher resigns and marries 16yo student

**voivod** · 06.22.07, 04:58 AM

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The school district that employed a 40-year-old high-school science teacher and cross-country coach who married a 16-year-old student could find no reason to fire him, school officials said.

Brenton Wuchae coached Windy Hager at South Brunswick High School, where she recently completed her sophomore year as one of the school's top runners.

Wuchae resigned his position and, according to a marriage license, married Hager after the girl's parents begrudgingly gave their consent.

Brunswick County Schools Superintendent Katie McGee said both the school system and the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office investigated Wuchae's case but did not come up with enough evidence that would merit charging or even firing the coach.

"As a lifelong educator, I am truly shocked and disheartened by what has transpired," McGee said.

Click here to read a letter sent by school principal to Hager's parents.

Hager's parents, Dennis and Betty Hager, said they did all they could to keep the couple apart after noticing a deeper-than-usual friendship forming between them. The parents said they tried to intervene by talking to the coach, going to school officials, pleading with police and sheriff's office detectives, even other teachers and students at South Brunswick.

But the Hagers say they reluctantly signed a consent form allowing their daughter to marry her coach.

A local paper captured the pair's relationship in a story about Hager's running success. In the Nov., 8, 2006, article in the State Port Pilot, Hager said her success was due mostly to the coach (and now husband).

(photo of Brenton Wuchae and Windy Hager, presumably at their wedding reception at Red Lobster.)

"He’s very encouraging. He’s always telling us how proud he is," Hager told the paper. "I’m proud of where I finished but he seems to be even more proud of me. He’s always been encouraging. That’s what makes him a great coach. He’s always motivated us; he’s always out there helping us."

The Brunswick County Board of Education approved Wuchae's resignation Tuesday — one week after Wuchae had filed it.

The school system hired Wuchae as a teacher and coach in August 2004 from Guilford County.

Wuchae and his new bride were at home Tuesday, resting on his living room floor watching TV. He declined to comment.

**Gypsy King** · 06.22.07, 05:08 AM

Why would anyone who lives on the ocean go to a Red Lobster?

AT · 06.22.07, 05:17 AM

I don't buy the fairytale. That's fucked up.

**Red** · 06.22.07, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by Gypsy King

Why would anyone who lives on the ocean go to a Red Lobster?

That's a really good question right there.

I'd just like to say that I'm ashamed that these two individuals live in the state of North Carolina.

I feel sorry for the girl's parents, they were on GMA this morning and it sounds like they absolutely did all they could, short of moving across the country, to keep this from happening. It's one of those deals where no one could talk any sense into this child, and that's what she is, a child. As far as I'm concerned, the coach is a pedophile. A gentleman of 40 doesn't fall in love with a 16-year old, but actually, this started when she was 14, and all along the coach assured her parents that his intentions were pure and he was just taking an interest in her as a teacher who really cares about his students. I really can't believe the school system and the cops couldn't do anything about it, but I guess at 16 you can do what you want in Brunswick County, NC.

I don't know, this story just really smells. I feel sorry for the parents.

When this girl wakes up at 22 as a completely different person, she'll realize just how screwy this whole thing really is, and how cruel she was toward her parents. This is teenage rebellion at it's worst, and the coach pretty much sucks as a man.

It would be really easy to blame the parents for signing the consent.....but these people have probably done everything they could, and according to the father, "it was going to kill us all".

Sad.

**ZeoBandit** · 06.22.07, 05:37 AM

That's just wrong.

**Red** · 06.22.07, 06:27 AM

And really, if nothing was wrong before they were married, why did the coach have to resign?

**the_atomic_punks_rule** · 06.22.07, 04:10 PM

What the hell do they talk about? Oh DLR said UMMM UMMM UMMM.

AT · 06.22.07, 04:20 PM

It's a relationship of infatuation, though I'm sure both would desperately try to defend otherwise. He is fascinated with her "youngness" (to put it lightly), and she is fascinated with his "kindness" and affection for her. (Aren't we all infatuated with our teenage significant others--WHEN WE'RE THAT AGE?)

I'm 32, and I have numerous teenage guitar students. Though I am able to communicate with them as adults for the most part, the difference in mental capacity and experience is significant. There's SO much growing up a person does from roughly 16 to 30. Hell, as long as we stay open-minded we're always collecting wisdom along the way and, hopefully, becoming "smarter" as we go.

Again... that's just plain fucked up.

**Bullwinkle** · 06.22.07, 04:24 PM

Does she have a sister?

**Kimmie5150** · 06.22.07, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Red

And really, if nothing was wrong before they were married, why did the coach have to resign?

That's what I can't figure out. If everything happened for the right reason, he shouldn't have any reason to resign. I don't think who you fall in love with has anything to do with age, but 14? That's a little too young. That's sick!

**smithjc** · 06.23.07, 01:35 PM

Guess there's no statutory rape laws in NC??? Her poor parents. My daughter's 20 and I can't imagine her running off like that.

That guy is a sicko. Hope the little girl wakes up and realizes just what she's done.

**namedmydaughterHALEN** · 06.23.07, 03:00 PM

i live here and it's funny that this went national so quick.
there is no proof of any wrong doing for the police to press charges. the parents exhausted all avenues short of gun fire to stop this relationship. nothing they could do other than relent.
huge mistake by the girl and the teacher. when this crashes and it will they will never be able to shed this. idiots.

i expected the girl to be smoking hot, i mean seriously why not get a hottie!
tag and release not tag and marry!

should have at least waited till she was 18. pretty sick

**Kimmie5150** · 06.23.07, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by namedmydaughterHALEN

i live here and it's funny that this went national so quick.
there is no proof of any wrong doing for the police to press charges. the parents exhausted all avenues short of gun fire to stop this relationship. nothing they could do other than relent.
huge mistake by the girl and the teacher. when this crashes and it will they will never be able to shed this. idiots.

i expected the girl to be smoking hot, i mean seriously why not get a hottie!
tag and release not tag and marry!

should have at least waited till she was 18. pretty sick

I totally agree with ya neighbor. They should've waited until she was 18. My dad is 60 and my stepmom is 45, and the woman is BEAUTIFUL! They make a great couple, and they truly love each other.

**voivod** · 06.24.07, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle

Does she have a sister?

Younger or older?

**JasonG5150** · 06.24.07, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by Red

That's a really good question right there.

I'd just like to say that I'm ashamed that these two individuals live in the state of North Carolina.

I feel sorry for the girl's parents, they were on GMA this morning and it sounds like they absolutely did all they could, short of moving across the country, to keep this from happening. It's one of those deals where no one could talk any sense into this child, and that's what she is, a child. As far as I'm concerned, the coach is a pedophile. A gentleman of 40 doesn't fall in love with a 16-year old, but actually, this started when she was 14, and all along the coach assured her parents that his intentions were pure and he was just taking an interest in her as a teacher who really cares about his students. I really can't believe the school system and the cops couldn't do anything about it, but I guess at 16 you can do what you want in Brunswick County, NC.

I don't know, this story just really smells. I feel sorry for the parents.

When this girl wakes up at 22 as a completely different person, she'll realize just how screwy this whole thing really is, and how cruel she was toward her parents. This is teenage rebellion at it's worst, and the coach pretty much sucks as a man.

It would be really easy to blame the parents for signing the consent.....but these people have probably done everything they could, and according to the father, "it was going to kill us all".

Sad.

lol amen those freaks need to leave our state!