MARIJUANA INCIDENT LEADS TO RESIGNATION

OGDEN -- Weber State University communication professor and debate coach
Michael Bryant has resigned after police allegedly found him smoking
marijuana in a hotel room during a trip to a debate tournament.

Bryant was attending the Oct. 6 tournament at Southern Utah University when
he was cited for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia
and interfering with an arrest.

Each of the three charges has a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a
$1,000 fine.

Bryant taught several communication classes, including public speaking and
several classes in conjunction with the debate team.

During his 14 years as the coach of the debate team, the school won four
national championships. He took 20 individual teams to the national
championships.

Student debate team member Daniel Hallmeyer, 21, was cited for possessing a
marijuana pipe.

On Oct. 6 at 11:30 p.m., Cedar City police received a call saying there was
a "strong marijuana smell" coming from a room at the Econo Lodge, said Iron
County Attorney Scott Burns.

After officers knocked on the door, Bryant answered and officers noticed
marijuana "in plain view," along with a pipe, he said.

"Mr. Bryant then stated 'It's all mine. No one else is using it,' " Burns said.

The charge for interfering with an arrest came when Bryant allegedly swept
"a small amount of marijuana off a table" and onto the ground, Burns said.

Hallmeyer was cited after police asked him whether he had marijuana. He
went to his room and came back with a pipe, Burns said.

Neither Bryant nor Hallmeyer were booked into jail. They are scheduled to
be arraigned in 5th District Court on Oct. 29.

The university probably won't issue sanctions against Bryant, said
university spokesman Jason Wanlass.

"Him voluntarily resigning pretty much closes the book," he said.