Beginning with Thursday's contest at Wapato, West Valley boys basketball coach Jim Berndt has been suspended for four games for violating the school district's policy regarding alcohol use by coaches and advisors.

In his ninth season as the Rams' head coach, Berndt will miss Mid-Valley League games against Ellensburg (Jan. 10) and Selah (Jan. 13) before concluding the suspension with a nonleague game against Mark Morris in the Tourneytown.com Shootout.

Assistant coaches Jon Kinloch and George Benedetti will share the head-coaching duties during those games.

Berndt's violation occurred in Florida while West Valley's boys were competing in a tournament during Christmas break.

According to a letter submitted by West Valley Athletic Director Joe Coscarart, Berndt consumed two glasses of wine during a late evening dinner (Dec. 20) and one beer during an afternoon lunch (Dec. 22) following the team's final game, both times in the presence of parent chaperones.

On neither occasion was Berndt transporting or interacting with his athletes, who were at the time supervised by other parent chaperones.

West Valley's district policy prohibits alcohol use at all times during district-related activities.