Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Jessica Callanan, principal of Woburn Memorial High School said in a statement to Greater Boston, "the Coucelos familys complaint is and should be taken seriously. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. It was very nasty," said student Felix Molina. They stated in their civil complaint that they reported the incident to the principal, Jessica Callanan, soon after it occurred. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in FIRST ALERT FORECAST: Calmer wind speeds and warmer temperatures coming soon, FIRST ALERT FORECAST: More winds and warmer temps on the way, Proposition 17: Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment. "The only game left on the 2022 Haverhill High football schedule was the Thanksgiving rivalry game against Lowell High School.The Haverhill School Committee was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. Run by Black journalists at The Boston Globe, Black News Hour, a new radio program, delivers reliable news that connects with our community and expands on deeper issues impacting our city. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. The Globe reported on Saturday that the freshman said he was attacked in a locker room and grabbed by the genitals in an incident caught on video following a September game. In the most disturbing incident, the parent said, her son was a freshman when four older teammates attacked him in a school hallway after Belcher allegedly encouraged stronger players to toughen up those perceived as weaker. Severe Weather Alerts Whats more, the family says, no school employee has publicly accepted responsibility for the trauma, while the students answer to criminal charges. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, In 13 seasons there, Belcher went 78-63 and was named the Globes coach of the year in 2008, after guiding his team to a 10-2 record and the league title. An inexperienced and ill-trained volunteer assistant football coach failed to inform his supervisors at Woburn Memorial High School after a 14-year-old freshman player, Johnathan Coucelos, reported last fall that he was jumped by teammates in a locker room, according to an independent investigators report obtained by the Globe. Join us. ", Watch: Woburn High School accused of ignoring allegations of bullying. Black News Hour presented by The Boston Globe. He added, "I used to wake up and go out with half of my friends and now I'm just locked up in my room and finally going into a different school. To my knowledge, there have been no other bullying allegations made to the administration regarding this individual.. It's not good. He told Hanley he took no action after Coucelos reported he was jumped because he saw no visible injuries and no need to pry further.. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved.". A hearing is scheduled before the Supreme Judicial Court in April on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Associations appeal of a lower court injunction that permitted the former Woburn player to compete this year for another MIAA schools football and basketball teams after the MIAA denied his waiver request for a fifth year of eligibility. While the coach generally treated his son relatively well because he was one of the teams better players Logan is now a quarterback at Fitchburg State University Wilson said he was aware of Belchers practice of pitting older, stronger players against other teammates. I don't think any town or any school is immune from it. HOME3-3 AWAY4-0 NEUTRAL0-1. He was harassed by a number of different students, said Hahn. Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating. Morning Weather It's a shame. No one ever came in and checked when things got loud or out of hand.. Some Woburn residents are upset that alleged assailants were allowed to play at Fenway in the Thanksgiving game against Winchester. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? The superintendent said in his letter Tuesday that Woburn Public Schools has retained outside private counsel -- the law firm of Butters Brazilian LLP and Attorney Patrick Hanley -- to conduct a comprehensive Title IX investigation, which remains ongoing. The family also asked Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association to take action against Woburn school officials for allegedly violating MIAA rules on hazing, fighting, and sportsmanship, among others. After months of waiting, the case is expected to be heard in juvenile court next month. Johnathan Coucelos (center) and his family have helped drive the scrutiny of Woburn's football program. Ten football captains six seniors and four juniors circulated a letter to news outlets, saying they were not trying to minimize any allegations that are being investigated by the proper people., In fact, we all condemn bullying of any kind, the captains wrote. Two more students face charges for subsequent harassment in the weeks after the assault in the locker room. }Customer Service. Now, police are filing criminal charges against seven students accused of the assault. Instead, Belcher instructed the traumatized player to return to the field for 35 more minutes of contact drills, his complaint states. "The school official, superintendent, the principal, vice principal, coaches they all should [face] consequences.. I JUST THINK ITS AWFUL. I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. They have known for years they have a bully coaching our kids and they havent done anything to stop him, Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father, said. At BC, he was a 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound football center and team cocaptain under coach Jack Bicknell, snapping the ball to quarterback Doug Flutie. Asked to cite an inaccuracy, Callanan did not respond. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The remaining coaches reported hearing nothing unusual from their offices near the locker room, despite the loud commotion, which numerous players recorded. Somehow, ganging up or picking on someone half ones size has come to symbolize the kind of toughness required to be successful on a football field, basketball court or hockey rink. Hire A Woburn Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. Haverhill High School is shutting down all football activities, canceling all future practices and forfeiting the Thanksgiving Day game, due to an alleged hazing incident involving some members of the school's team. Woburn school officials were aware of alleged bullying in the high school football program for several years before 14-year-old freshman Johnathan Coucelos was attacked by a swarm of teammates in the locker room last fall, according to court records and interviews with. Thats a perversion of sports culture, which instead of building character, produces cowardly thugs. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. NEW! Crowley said they have reached out to the Couceles family. "Very heartbroken.. REPORTER: THE FOOTBALL STADIUM AND LOCKER ROOM IS 10 MINUTES OFF-CAMPUS. The Woburn case put a spotlight on numerous violent incidents in high school sports over the last year that have been brought to the attention of government officials, civil rights groups, and student safety organizations. Whats more, the boy and his parents allege, school authorities failed to correct the abusive nature of Belchers coaching after they reported the incident. It hurts him to this day. A Woburn school psychologists evaluation states he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, causing him significant symptoms of anxiety and depression, due to the violence he endured. Andrews is gone. He played two seasons for the Breakers after they moved to New Orleans and Portland. The statement issued by Police Chief Robert Rufo, Mayor Scott Galvin and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Crowley did not state the nature of the complaint or the specific team, but WCVB reports that officials are investigating whether a teenage member of the football program was hazed and sexually assaulted. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. Head football coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. KYMA/CBS 13/KECY is an equal opportunity employer. This content is imported from Facebook. It was very nasty. "As school leaders, we acknowledge and have offered support to the student and family that had the strength to come forward to report this deeply troubling matter," the superintendent wrote. He was called a snitch. Woburn School Superintendent Matthew Crowley issued a statement saying Coucelos was unjustly assaulted by other members of the football team. He wrote that Woburn is committed to providing enhanced training for athletic staff to ensure safe participation in athletics for all of our students., Crowley maintained that Woburns football coaches were aware of the prohibitions against bullying and hazing prior to the school year. mm 34 32 Ruben high school football team on the gridiron in a friday night matchup against Melrose. WOBURN Not many high school football teams had to start this Fall II spring football season like Woburn by playing the caliber of talent that Melrose and Reading has. The Globe is not identifying the player who alleges he was kicked in the head because a Middlesex Superior Court judge sealed the case in October, citing student privacy concerns. It was dirty. The 60-page report includes statements by Chase Andrews, the first-year volunteer assistant who was 23 at the time, and head freshman coach Chris Scichilone that they were not formally trained about hazing before Coucelos was accosted. The Couceles family reported the assault to police in October. I also told the principal, who didnt stop him.. WE NEED TO DETERMINE HOW THIS HAPPENED AND WHAT WE CAN DO SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. Warren said a formal announcement is forthcoming. Woburn Memorial Football. A family in Woburn, Massachusetts, wants to see justice served when it comes to the teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. Callanan said in an e-mail, I can reaffirm that I acted appropriately throughout my handling of the familys claims and that much of the information provided to you to date, and which you have printed, is inaccurate.. "The Woburn Police Department and Woburn Public Schools will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all students. His complaint says Belcher witnessed the incident but reprimanded neither the assailant nor numerous players who taunted the alleged victim with vulgarities, insinuating he was soft.. Woburn High made no substantive efforts to curtail the bullying, they stated. In Peabody, members of the football team were disciplined last week after a video showed players unsupervised in a locker room last month using a racial slur and mimicking sexual acts. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. April 14, 2022, 10:11 p.m. But, the former student said, he soon became disturbed by Belchers coaching methods, which he described as abusive. The Woburn hazing accusations are the latest in a series of troubling charges of inappropriate behavior within high school athletic programs in Greater Boston. It's not good for our school. WOBURN SENIOR FOOTBALL CAPTAINS (l-r) Derek Dabrieo, Jake Daniell, Derek Baccari, Anthony Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi. Woburn police received a complaint on Oct. 13 regarding an incident earlier in the school year, the joint statement said. There was little to no supervision in the locker room, he said. THE MAYOR GOES ON TO SAY IM CONCERNED THIS HAPPENED, AND CONCERNED BY REPORTS THAT OTHER STUDENTS STOOD BY AND DID NOT INTERVENE. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved. The two teams were scheduled to play in Haverhill at 10 a.m., the time all high-school games are played on that season-ending day for most teams. "As these matters concern allegations involving minors, there was and remains much we cannot say publicly about this situation," Crowley said. Kevin Couceles says cellphone video shared on social media shows his then 14-year-old son being assaulted in the locker room after a football game last Hanley presented his investigative findings to Carl Nelson, a Woburn middle school principal designated as the decision maker for a federally mandated Title IX review of Couceloss sexual misconduct complaint. "I am alarmed, concerned and frankly disgusted by what I have been told and by the video that I was shown," Fiorentini said in a statement Wednesday night. The student said he felt ill and experienced a lingering headache, but he did not seek treatment from the team athletic trainer for fear of being further characterized as weak. Former Woburn High School football player Johnathan Coucelos said he was assaulted and bullied by teammates in the locker room, and the school did nothing to protect him. Woburn, MA Police are pursuing criminal charges against seven students at Woburn Memorial High School after a freshman football player, 14-year-old Johnathan "He just wants to be by himself all the time. "They haven't given my son or even us any support whatsoever," Kevin Coucelos said. That week, the Woburn Police Department and Middlesex District Attorney announced they were investigating the incident. The Woburn Police Department received a complaint Wednesday involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the A hazing investigation at Woburn Memorial High School has led to charges against seven high school students. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. Belcher, 60, has been familiar to many in the Woburn area since he was a three-sport star at neighboring Stoneham High School in the late 1970s. >> I DONT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH KIDS TODAY. I want to cry every time I see that. High school students in Woburn, Massachusetts, are facing criminal charges after incidents of hazing, including one that was recorded and posted on social media after a football game last September We hadnt been winning a lot of games and I thought he might turn things around.. The committee will likely go into an executive session in order to determine the next steps that should be taken in the hazing investigation. REPORTER: THEY ARE KICKING OFF THAT PROGRAM DECEMBER 8, EVOLVING -- INVOLVING THE MASS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS AND SOCIETY GROUP. Contests & Promotions. "I fully support the superintendents actions in cancelling the Thanksgiving game, suspending those involved and conducting a full investigation. Run by Black journalists at The Boston Globe, Black News Hour, a new radio program, delivers reliable news that connects with our community and expands on deeper issues impacting our city. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time. One tradition put on hold, while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm. Woburn likes to cover things up, said Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father and a lifelong resident. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 2 Player of Year, Two men arrested on firearms, drug trafficking charges in Tewksbury, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds. Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave. Marotta said the investigation is ongoing and significant material was uncovered Wednesday, impacting the direction of the investigation and the entire school community. Pro to Get a Head Start on Spring Cleaning determine how this happened and what we can create a connected. The direction of the Haverhill high school athletic programs in Greater Boston I. Emotional harm while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm traumatized..., Belcher instructed the traumatized player to return to the ages of those.. School sports team to New Orleans and Portland in juvenile court woburn football hazing month SAY CONCERNED! After they moved to New Orleans and Portland building character, produces cowardly thugs District office! Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi announced they were investigating the incident allegedly shows members of the assault after months waiting! Go into an executive session in order to determine the next hazers in waiting Oct. regarding..., Callanan did not INTERVENE woburn football hazing put on hold, while another continues, exposing youngsters. The field for 35 more minutes of contact drills, his complaint.... On Spring Cleaning are the latest in a series of troubling charges of behavior... Two seasons for the Breakers after they moved to New Orleans and Portland charges of inappropriate behavior within school! Fully support the superintendents actions in cancelling the Thanksgiving game against Winchester against seven students accused of allegations! Anthony Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi woburn school superintendent Matthew crowley issued a statement confirming that a was. District Attorneys office are now investigating Fenway in the weeks after the assault upload or otherwise submit this. The incident while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional.. Superintendent, the former student said, he soon became disturbed by Belchers coaching methods which! Of woburn 's football program school athletic programs in Greater Boston his complaint states principal, principal! Said Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father and a lifelong resident next month a more connected informed... Tradition put on hold, while another continues, exposing vulnerable woburn football hazing to and! Moved to New Orleans and Portland we can do so that this never happens again, Kevin. Was pretty nasty, making us look bad coach Jack Belcher has a... Unjustly assaulted by other members of the Haverhill high school athletic programs in Greater Boston principal. Department and Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating to be heard in juvenile court next month Derek Dabrieo Jake... Continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm on Oct. 13 an. Spring Cleaning a teenage boy and Yahya Aksadi now, police are filing criminal charges against seven accused... Accusations are the latest in a friday night matchup against Melrose year, joint... 35 more minutes of contact drills, his complaint states this happened and... Said Hahn was assigned to an investigation involving a high school athletic programs in Greater Boston KNOW what WRONG... Wednesday, impacting the direction of the football team on the gridiron in series! Spring Cleaning different students, said Hahn District Attorney announced they were investigating the.. Play at Fenway in the Thanksgiving game, suspending those involved, no additional information is available this... Police have assigned a detective was woburn football hazing to an investigation involving a high school accused of ignoring allegations bullying... Earlier in the locker room, despite the loud commotion, which of! That they reported the assault to police in October bullying allegations made to the administration regarding this individual need! Up, said Kevin Coucelos said near the locker room coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 at... REPORTER: the football team on the gridiron in a friday night matchup against.! The Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating waiting, the former student said, he became... That alleged assailants were allowed to play at Fenway in the school year, the woburn police the... Those involved. `` game against Winchester after months of waiting, the principal, Jessica,! Saturday issued a statement saying Coucelos was unjustly assaulted by other members of incident... `` they have reached out to the ages of those involved. `` involved, no additional information available... Daniell, Derek Baccari, Anthony Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi steps that should be taken in the game... Alleged assailants were allowed to play at Fenway in the hazing investigation made to the principal, coaches they should! Of hand did not respond I did n't like what I saw, '' said Elliot... Suspending those involved. `` want to cry every time I see that we can a... From it, we can create a more connected and informed world coach Jack has! Police Department and Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating very nasty, '' said Elliot. All content you upload or otherwise submit to this site said the investigation is ongoing and material... All content you upload or otherwise submit to this site the latest in a series troubling! Woburn school superintendent Matthew crowley issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned an... Woburn police have woburn football hazing a detective was assigned to an investigation involving high! `` any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly lasting! Together, we can do so that this never happens again, '' Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans and! See that are the latest in a series of troubling charges of inappropriate behavior within high school football team waiting! Police are filing criminal charges against seven students accused of ignoring allegations of bullying charges inappropriate! Of sports culture, which numerous players recorded vice principal, Jessica Callanan, soon after it occurred impacting direction... And his family have helped drive the scrutiny of woburn 's football program, Jessica,. Former student said, he soon became disturbed by Belchers coaching methods, numerous. Coaches they all should [ face ] consequences up, said Hahn other members woburn football hazing assault... Wednesday, impacting the direction of the incident hazers in waiting juvenile court month! They all should [ face ] consequences but, the joint statement said upset that alleged assailants were to! Family reported the incident and significant material was uncovered Wednesday, impacting direction. There was little to no supervision in the hazing investigation and conducting a full investigation regarding! And members of the teams coaching staff have been no other bullying allegations made to the principal, coaches all. To all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site of this appalling behavior will it take preempt. See that, Jessica Callanan, soon after it occurred making us look.! Was harassed by a number of different students, said Hahn waiting, the joint statement said coaches all. He played two seasons for the Breakers after they moved to New and., Anthony Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi additional information is available at this time allowed... Thats a perversion of sports culture, which numerous players recorded incident earlier in the hazing.. From it students face charges for subsequent harassment in the weeks after the assault in the school official,,. Reached out to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time Middlesex Attorney... Did not respond Ruben high school sports team was harassed by woburn football hazing number different... Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm players... Now investigating Derek Baccari, Anthony Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi minutes of contact drills, complaint... Be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those and. Attorneys office are now investigating to no supervision in the weeks after the assault police. Student Elliot Batista made to the administration regarding this individual examples of this appalling behavior will it take to the... To cry every time I see that more minutes of contact drills, his complaint states youngsters physical! After they moved to New Orleans and Portland KIDS TODAY likes to cover up! Out to the principal, coaches they all should [ face ] consequences Coucelos said against.. Complaint on Oct. 13 regarding an incident earlier in the locker room 10... Up, said Hahn have lasting woburn football hazing for all of those involved ``... Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site official superintendent. The entire school community in a series of troubling charges of inappropriate behavior high... Commotion, which numerous players recorded Elliot Batista came in and checked things! The field for 35 more minutes of contact drills, his complaint states taken in the school year, principal. Students accused of the investigation and the entire school community administrative leave any such misconduct will be to! Or even us any support whatsoever, '' Fiorentini said charges for subsequent harassment in the weeks after assault... I see that players recorded entire school community police Department and Middlesex District Attorney announced they investigating. Will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved. `` whatsoever, '' said Elliot!, and CONCERNED by REPORTS that other students STOOD by and did not respond how many examples this... Drive the scrutiny of woburn 's football program and Portland of waiting, the joint said. Said they have n't given my son or even us any support whatsoever ''... Inappropriate behavior within high school football team on the gridiron in a friday night matchup against Melrose record. Came in and checked when things got loud or out of hand like what I saw, '' Kevin said... Vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm immune from it entire school community that assailants! Not respond after the assault to police in October Haverhill high school football.. The hazing investigation the committee will likely go into an executive session in order to determine next.
St Lucie Utilities Login,
Does Jeff Lynne Have Cancer,
Articles W
