To the Editor:

James B. Guttridge was wrongly accused in January 2012 of criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. As a former female Woodstock North High School student, I was hurt and filled with disbelief at the news.

I had Mr. Guttridge, or as we called him “Gutty,” as a coach on the girls track and field team for four years, and as a physical education teacher. Gutty was not only a coach to us, but a friend and a mentor. We looked up to him for guidance and only had the utmost respect for him, and still do.