mepham high school football scandal
Both told stories of defending their school when they were teased by students outside the district and cited the ''Mepham Pride'' buttons that they and many classmates have taken to wearing. "He said to him, 'Don't even think of sleeping at football camp. All rights reserved. The coaches, however, say that, in attempt to deal with Carney's threats to another member of the team, they put Reichstein's son in the cabin closest to them, and asked an upperclassman to keep an eye on both boys. When parents came to an emergency meeting on September16 with the principal and superintendent, they heardnot mea culpas but accusations. Long Island high school rocked by lurid football hazing scandal Our community is being blamed. On a Friday morning in August, 60 kids were droppedoff for the bus ride to Pennsylvania. Yeah, that shit gotfreakin blown up. And his youth. Some tryouts are not far by any means, in which the coaches pick from not the skill but by the way they know the student. This password will be used to sign into all, I Inherited Millions From My Mother, and Everyone Knows, Shania Twain Gives Rare Update on Her Ex-Husband and Ex-BFF, Journey Should Probably Go Their Separate Ways, 10 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Glass Jars to Guayabera Shirts. ''There's no question that they knew hazing had gone on for years, and they allowed it to go on,'' said Robert Kelly, a lawyer for two of the victims. He was one of four captains chosen by CoachMac his senior season. High schools on Long Island have led a crackdown on rough-housing since the 2003 Mepham High School football training camp hazing scandal rocked the nation. I cried," says Carol, who asked her friend, Jim Rullo, to make a speech on her behalf. They were carried outover several nights, with several victims, one of whomrequired surgery for his injuries. The issue of blame, however, continues to polarize parents and promises to loom larger as the criminal case moves ahead. The coaches also showed 48 Hours a tape never before made public - one they say was recorded on the last day of camp. Thursday, November 6, 2003 Posted: 1537 GMT (11:37 PM HKT) Story Tools. During the first day of camp, the hazing was minor, such as one player smearing gel and powder into another's hair. As we mentioned earlier, the freshmans mother mentioned to coach McElroy the fact that the upperclassman was calling her son those insulting names. There's coaches. Instead, they were treated as juveniles. Touring the world with friends one mile and pub at a time; For many years, people have been debating about whether sports teams for kids should have selective tryouts. We have more wealthy backgrounds, saysDanny. What about, say, having your head flushed in a toilet? He told Pennsylvaniapolice that he couldnt release informationabout a student without a subpoena. Kids and adults are then forced to take a side on the issue for the good of the school and the safety of the children. If three victims getanything close to that much each, it would devastatethe school districts budget. But critics say their mistakes started early. The superintendent, while admonishing the team for notcooperating with the investigation, has also putforward a tidy defense of McElroy and the principal,Didden. Kevin McElroy, the man in charge of the football camp and Mepham High School's head coach, has remained silent for the last six months. In an earlier proceeding, the three attackers, charged as juveniles, admitted to the assaults. Sometimes its hardto tell what bothers the people of Bellmore andMerrick moreallegations of sodomy or the abruptend of football season. The coach wentalong with canceling the season because he knew kidswere not coming forward. Anyone can read what you share. What's more, the 16-year-old ringleader of the assaults had his own history of disciplinary problems. Those kids are running at full speed. You may notstart, but youll be on the team.. Coach Mac talked to my mom, convinced us tostay. "He made that statement and from that day on, he's been, his family, harassed by letters and threats," says Carol. They had hoped that the three assailants (Phil Sofia, Ken Carney, and Tom Diasparra) would be tried as adults for the crimes. The coaches, who supervised the trip, say that they had no idea any of this was happening during the camp. I notice when they're injured. He said his surgery was a success, but he needs time to heal before he can tour again. Heand a group of kids have me surrounded. maize high school basketball roster. Once the season started, eight players tackled him inthe locker room and lowered him into the toilet; thistime, he says, it contained urine. They were later suspended from classes on September 18. At Mepham High School on Long Island, the entire football season was canceled after players admitted to sadistically hazing fellow teammates. The football players were unfairly penalized by the sanctions that were placed on the team. Soon after the first revelations of the attacks, the Reichsteins reached out to newspapers and television stations with their story. Duct tape was yanked from the victims' bottoms and pubic areas, and two of the victims were forced to smear Mineral Ice on their testicles, and then kick each other there, the report says. Werent theyalready on the right track? They have become activists, who say that the incident is just part of a pattern of problems in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. So, no., But, you know, says McDermott, ifthey wanted to do it? But my son says nobody knew he would cross theline., Andys son plays lacrosse. Atlantic City Football 2022-2023 - NJ.com When tryouts begin these individuals hope their skills and abilities will get them recognized by not only the coaches, but the returning players as well. Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: As part of your account, youll receive occasional updates and offers from New York, which you can opt out of anytime. However, earning your position, being undeserving of playing time, and coaches trying to win in their respected program are all issues that need to be thought of before people begin fighting for equal playing time. The grand jury report did not state that sexual assault had been part of hazing at Mepham High School or at past football camps (there were two before 2003). "He's victimized because I asked him to do a favor in this. Im theprincipal, he said, and Illdecide who can go on the trip. The lineman wasallowed to go to camp. Once in high school, senior athletes have scouts that come out to see them play. A Pennsylvania judge imposed strong penalties yesterday on two teens who sexually abused younger players at a high school football camp sentencing one to a military-style boot camp and the other to a juvenile detention center. "We're not suggesting anything about injuries. They speak ofbroomsticks, pinecones, and golf balls. Criminal coercion. On 11/4, the Mepham varsity football team won their home playoff game against Elmont Memorial (Elmont, NY) by a score of 14-7. Including intelligent heated gloves, soothing foot rollers, and classic cabbage-shaped servingware. Then it became a football school. He was benched for two years as the lawsuit creptthrough the legal system. Throughout September, a question hung in the air:Would Wayne County district attorney Mark Zimmer trythe boys as adults, which would mean that each couldface up to twenty years in prison? ''We don't do it in front of them,'' the teenager said, referring to the victims. Not, 'Coach, things aren't good over here.' During the recessional, he submits to a seeminglyendless succession of embracesmuch like theones he received from his former teammates last nightat the wake. It has been 11 years since three football players, ages 15 to 17, from Mepham High School in Bellmore, New York, were criminally charged with sodomizing teammates during a preseason. A few blocks from school, Allie Pagano and Sarah Mirenda, both 14, stop at the local pizza shop, Luigi's, on their way home. Its all fun and games, saysMcDermott. David Woycik, a lawyer for the victims, said, My clients were relieved that [Sofia and Carney] will be out of the community and off the streets and they are pleased the judicial system worked to a certain extent.. Once each school year, older Mepham students would beat up younger ones on school grounds in a ritual called ''Freshman Friday,'' the grand jury found. "These boys were like 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 4 inches, and roughly 250 lbs. My sonthinks its just a bad thing that went too far,too fast., Andy mentions what some people are sayingthatwhat happened at camp was part of a pattern of hazingat Mepham. Go ahead. It was just too outrageous," says Jimmy. "The bottom line is, if we did anything wrong, we wouldn't be sitting here talking to you," says Cannestro. , 2023-02-08, 18:25:23 How long has it been since you've licked a high school girls pussy daddy? Theyre sick of reporters, andtheyre worried about the lineman. Trending News They had complained to the coach and the principal before football camp that their son, a freshman, had been bullied and threatened by one of the boys who was later charged in the attacks. No. At least one group of parents has decided they will continue to speak out. The coaches are suing to get their jobs back. When the allegations surfaced in early September, the three accused teenagers were suspended from Mepham High School's football team. We care about kids. But the grand jury did not find the coaches criminally negligent. He was always in troubleat school, but not in football. There's supervision, like any other school event.". At middle schools, high schools and colleges across the country, everyone is arguing over whether or not students with failing grades should be allowed to play sports. We love our children. Report Says Hazing Culture Led to Attacks On 3 Athletes Now, McElroy and Junior Varsity Coach Art Cannestro exclusively tell their story to 48 Hours. What went wrong? With FamousAmos on the squad, the team made the county playoffsall four years. "They have to be lying.". All the while, older players watched and laughed. No!! He wrestled instead. The school also erred by putting the coaches in one cabin and leaving the players in other cabins, supervised only by an older teammate, the report says. When a. Statistically showing, at least 100,000 college football players get hurt yearly. Tryouts are the worst thing about sports, they bring nothing but more stress to your plate. The problem was with thekidsand with the parents who brought them upthat way., Sothe parents. They feel a sense of guilt and shame that holds them back from saying anything and we see this is the Mepham High School Football case. Trust me been there done that, the most regretted thing about school sports for many are tryouts. Vic and Kristina have done The Early Show and20/20. Meet the Long Island High Schooler Who Made History With a Touchdown Kids have come to practice Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday to get better, while their academics are suffering. No. When athletes experience head trauma, they only recover a little, which might end their career early or other times people never recover. A school divided Students split over Central board's decision to cancel In recent years, the Pirates havent done aswell, losing roughly as many games as theyvewon, but the coach remains a local legendafather figure who welcomes players to his house forbarbecues with his teenage daughters in attendance.Its not surprising, then, that McElroy and theadministration would be the first stop on thewhos-to-blame tour. The coaches would have to be everywhere at thesame time, says Dave Hill. Your sonwoo hoo!Hes having fun. We said, 'Are they hurting you?' Oct. 20, 2003. What we're saying is, I notice when somebody's limping. Sofia was sentenced to the boot camp and Carney to the detention center both in Pennsylvania. But the victims told their parents they were screaming at the top of their lungs. "I had a personal conversation with one of the victims daily, and not once did he indicate to me that anything was wrong," says Cannestro. Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. Long Beach 2022 on Nov 4, 2022. On September 17, the Bellmore-Merrick Central HighSchool District Board of Education canceledMephams football season. "He was screaming. Now even they, however, have grown weary, wishing for a return to their old life. Mepham High School football head coach Anthony Cracco says LaSpina is the perfect role model for anyone who wants to just play because she worked hard and never got discouraged, adding there's a . But the school board was unswayed by the coaches defenders. NEW 'REAGAN' DEBATE - GOP RIPS SHOWTIME FOR TAKING SERIES Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, I'm a professional cleaner ditch these 4 household products immediately, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Prince Harry says psychedelics are fundamental part of his life, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss planned to tell Ariana Madix about affair. The answer to all those questions is no.". What LAppartement 4F Co-owner Ashley Coiffard Put on Her Wedding Registry. "He didn't go to school for a long time. Hedoesnt have a senior season to put on hiscollege application., This guy comes to my job, says Andy.He says, Oh, Im in Mephamnow, maybe I should shove a pinecone up myass! I said, Thats notfunny. These guys on the team are gonna beharassed the rest of their fuckin lives., My son knows one of the boys who wasattacked, Mary says sadly. After bullying allegations, Middleton coach allowed to resign with Travis Barkers Finger Is Now the Enema of Blink-182 Fans. Everyone laughs. Did either coach notice anything on these children's faces? Days later, the school wentahead with its annual pep rally, in a gesture ofsupport for Coach Mac and the sidelined Pirates. My father was agreat man, he begins, and tells a story of howhis dad once saw a crashed, burning car, pulled overand ran to help, and discovered that the guy trappedin the passengers seat was a friend. That decision ''let down and insulted the victims and their families,'' the report says. Full speed," says McElroy. Nor did he suspendthe three alleged perpetrators, and as a result, theywere allowed to walk the hallways of Mepham High fornearly two weeks. Berger says his friends persuaded him to stay off theteam. I want to bepart of the team.. The coaches let him go, the report says, ''because he was a good football player. Scandal at New Jersey High school reopens hazing debate Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. Long Beach 2022 on Oct 15, 2022, Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. Sewanhaka 2022 on Oct 29, 2022. The parishioners sing Make Me aChannel of Your Peace. And then the younglineman, who charged onto the varsity squad hissophomore year at W.C. Mepham High SchoolHomeof the Piratesis in tears. Over the course of five days, their sons were brutally sodomized by their teammates. According to the report, ''a lack of accountability appears to permeate the entire structure of the administration and running of this camp program.'' Hugged by his team captain and cheered by supporters, Mepham HSs head football coach was fired last night and his four assistants got the boot, too. But rather, in my opinion, how could the coaches have known?" Four members of the faculty were either fired or forced out because of the scandal. The public was barred from the hearing, but the penalties and the judges comments were disclosed by relatives of victims, lawyers and cops. Future of Sayreville football coaches may hinge on supervision The morals, the attitudes, of a Mepham student,are different, suggests another Kennedy player,Danny. . At a school-board meeting onOctober 1, packed with camera crews and angry parents,Superintendent Caramore tries to explain that hazingsimply doesnt happen at Mephamthatfootball was canceled not because of what the boysallegedly did but because their teammates neverreported it. 49 - 18 W. . Kevin Minnick | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com | Dec 7, 2022. Kids in the bunks didn't tell us. The 15-year-old wide receiver became the first female football player in Long Island history to score a touchdown Saturday night, when. A day later, the threeboys were suspended, and a student. MEPHAM COACHES BOOTED IN HAZING SCANDAL - New York Post No," says McElroy. We're in education because we love kids.". She says Didden said no twice.Thats when Vic stood up and called Didden aliar. Experts: Parents and coaches must be vigilant to curb hazing in teen It's the biggest week of the year for high school wrestling fans. Some parents and athletes believe equal playing time for all sports and activities is deserved all through their middle school and high school careers. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Murdaugh defense team plans to appeal conviction This wasn't just something that happened when the lights went out.". The kid that did it, I feel so bad forhim, the boy says. But one kid whogot it in the shitter, hes just like afag., Yeah, he says. No! .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { What I know about the Berger incident isit did not involve hazing. After Dax Shepard asked her about her musical chairs relationship situation. Thelinemans fathers death on October 5created one delay in moving the case forward; otherdelays have been due to the attorneys effortsto bring the case back to juvenile status, and tonegotiate their clients surrender into custody. I ask. Despite the linemans threats, noone could have anticipated what happened atcamp, Caramore told parents in a speech, adding thatwhatever happened wasnt hazing:None of us in Bellmore-Merrick has used thatterm to define what is, in fact, a brutalcrime., The hazing-or-not debate is a key factor in the legalbattles to come. Most of these scouts are from college teams, and others are from, Every year individuals from all across the United States makes the decision on whether or not they will try out for an interscholastic athletic team. The grand jury criticizes the school district for not providing adequate supervision during the weeklong camp, and says the district should adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward violent behavior. ''Despite these warnings and policies, the players all expected hazing to take place in one form or another at the camp,'' the report said. Parents demanded:Shouldnt they have been there to stop theseboys? OK? The grand jury report did not state that sexual assault had been part of hazing at Mepham High School or at past football camps (there were two before 2003). Into the locker! When trying to become a professional athlete, one must start playing sports as early as possible (Ferguson 34).Playing sports comes with many sacrifices. I want to thank my assistant coach who is the baseball expert. October 11, 2014 / 7:28 PM / AP. "The gastroenterologist said, 'What happened? He called the school boards decision 100 percent unjust.. Please enter valid email address to continue. Mepham Football team - Long Island High School Sports - Newsday Decent football player, though.. Signup for our newsletter to get notified about our next ride. That blond buzzcut, the baby face, the meager beginnings of agoateehes only 16, too young to beburying his father. mepham high school football scandal - tourdefat.com Most students, the girls say, have not gotten caught up in the anger and recrimination that have divided their parents. This incident could have been foreseeable by the coaches, and possibly the administration, if the coach reported anything to the principal and athletic director. Brackets for the 2023 NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships in Atlantic After all, theywerent just studentsthey wereathletes.. Hes the man of the family now.
Rv Slide Out Bottom Trim,
Power Bi Change Text Color Based On Value,
Mount Timpanogos Deaths,
Articles M