Vols TE linked to scandal
By Gentry Estes Staff Writer
KNOXVILLE An alleged sex scandal involving the assistant principal at Powell High School could affect the eligibility of a member of Tennessees latest football signing class.
Tight end Lee Smith has been linked to allegations that Kimberly Kallenberg had an improper sexual relationship with a student and tampered with grades during the past year. Kallenberg, 36, has been placed on administrative leave pending results of an ongoing Knox County School Board investigation.
Smith denied his involvement Tuesday in a signed, notarized affidavit obtained by the Times Free Press.
"I have never had any sexual and/or inappropriate relationship with Kimberly L. Kallenberg," said the affidavit, which added that Smith is over 18 years old and was previously acquainted with the assistant principal.
Kallenberg, formerly Kim Jennings, declined comment when reached at home Tuesday. She denied the allegations through Knoxville attorney Gregory Isaacs.
"We have a sworn statement under oath where (Smith) specifically denies any inappropriate relationship," Isaacs said. "It doesnt get much clearer than that."
Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton and football coach Phillip Fulmer werent aware of the situation until Tuesday, according to Tiffany Carpenter, director of public relations for UT athletics. Carpenter said she notified both men after being alerted by calls from reporters.
"Neither one of them had heard about it until I called them," Carpenter said.
For now, the Volunteers are taking a wait-and-see approach with Smith, who has already enrolled in summer classes at UT.
Fulmer had a pair of speaking engagements Tuesday in Nashville and was unavailable for comment. He is scheduled to appear at Southeastern Conference media days on Thursday morning. The Vols begin practice next week.
A 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end who also played basketball for Powell, Smith committed to Tennessee in February 2005 and signed a letter of intent one year later. His father, Daryle Smith, was an offensive lineman for the Vols from 1984-86. The elder Smith is currently an assistant football coach at Powell. Lee Smith hadnt been considered an academic risk and has qualified for the upcoming season.
In stating Kallenbergs case, Isaacs pointed to a lack of evidence and denials under oath from Kallenberg and Smith. He has "demanded" Kallenberg be immediately reinstated and accused school officials of supplying the information to the media Tuesday, saying "this investigation has had more leaks than the Titanic."
"Even though this has been going on for a month, no one from Knox County schools attempted to interview this young man, who is now 18," said Isaacs, referring to Smith. "Our concern is heightened by the fact the desire to talk to him was after a media inquiry was made."
The origin of the allegations against Kallenberg is unclear, although the investigation reportedly could involve other students and faculty members at Powell.
Kallenberg has been at Powell since 1997, when she was hired as an English teacher. Her duties as assistant principal include "staff evaluations" and supervision of all ninth and 11th grade students, according to the schools Web site.
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