"The matter has also been referred to the Haverhill Police Department for further investigation, according to the school officials' message. Haverhill High School students who saw the video said the lewd acts shown on that video happened in the locker room of the school's football stadium, Trinity Stadium. The freshman football player is seen pulling up his pants in the video. The Woburn hazing accusations are the latest in a series of troubling charges of inappropriate behavior within high school athletic programs in Greater Boston. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. Crowley said in his most recent statement to the Globe that the school district also will make certain that the investigators are aware of this past, unsubstantiated allegation regarding Coach Belcher to ensure that they are provided with any and all context necessary for a full and fair investigation.. "A freshman getting dragged down on the floor, them pulling down his pants and pulling down the other dude's pants and humping him in the face. Head football coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. Coaches are, by policy, considered responsible for safeguarding student-athletes against any form of abuse. ", Watch: Woburn High School accused of ignoring allegations of bullying. The Woburn case is one of numerous violent incidents in high school sports over the last year that have captured the attention of government officials, civil rights groups, and student safety organizations. It's a shame. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. On Sept. 25, 2018, three years to the day before the Coucelos incident, a 15-year-old Woburn player was kicked so hard in the head by a teammate that he stumbled, dazed, from the practice field and vomited, he stated in a civil case pending before the state Supreme Judicial Court. What happens when providers turn to medication first? And in Woburn, police are "investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team." It gets me emotional every time I have to talk about this.". 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. March 1, 2022 Greater Boston. It's really not a bad school. "I fully support the superintendents actions in cancelling the Thanksgiving game, suspending those involved and conducting a full investigation. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. "On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Woburn Police Department received a complaint involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the school year. "Saturday's statement did not provide details about the nature of the allegation and did not specifically mention the football team. Many Woburn residents have expressed anger that Belcher permitted three of the alleged assailants, including the player facing a possible indecent assault charge, to remain on the football team through a prestigious Thanksgiving week game at Fenway Park. 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 officials issue statement about investigation involving football team. What happened to that boy in the locker room was heinous, said Lee Wilson, whose son Logan played for Belcher and graduated in 2020. Its also heinous that Belcher kept those kids on the team.. Bullying and hazing happen when you pit players against each other like he does, Wilson said. WOBURN SENIOR FOOTBALL CAPTAINS (l-r) Derek Dabrieo, Jake Daniell, Derek Baccari, Anthony Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi. Hanley found the team assault was planned, organized, and executed by a substantial number of sophomore players. One player said he punched Coucelos multiple times after the sophomores like 30 kids decided to beat up Johnathan.. 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. In Danvers, a member of the boys hockey program publicly accused teammates of using racial slurs and engaging in homophobic hazing with a sex toy during the 2019-2020 season. LEAGUE 4-1 2nd Middlesex - Liberty. "The school official, superintendent, the principal, vice principal, coaches they all should [face] consequences.. The player who was initially hopeful about Belcher said the team engaged in a ritual in 2019 in which one player each week got jumped by his teammates and whacked with foam rollers. "They haven't given my son or even us any support whatsoever," Kevin Coucelos said. It is my understanding that the allegation was made in 2019 and that the High School administration promptly investigated the allegation in accordance with our bullying prevention policy and procedure, and that it was not substantiated. The county district attorney has indicated it will join local police in the investigation. The Woburn case is one of numerous violent incidents in high school sports over the last year that have captured the attention of government officials, civil rights groups, and student safety organizations. Bob Hohler can be reached at robert.hohler@globe.com. It's not good for our school. That message from Police Chief Robert Rufo, Mayor Scott Galvin and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Crowley comes one day after sources told NewsCenter 5 that police are investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team. Contests & Promotions. Officials in Woburn said Saturday that authorities are The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. But that disappointment pales in comparison to the disturbing allegations leveled at members of the Haverhill High School football team. Just no, they're kids temperament, that stuff. 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. I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are. There was little to no supervision in the locker room, he said. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, Three years later, he became the head coach at Bedford High School. Unfortunately, Lowells seniors wont be able to experience that joy of victory or agony of defeat. Asked to cite an inaccuracy, Callanan did not respond. PF343 PA206 STREAK2W. THE FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF IS ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE. Full statement: "On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Woburn Police Department received a complaint involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the school year. 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. I want to cry every time I see that. April 14, 2022, 10:11 p.m. Belcher, as the head coach, is responsible for the programs culture, according to specialists in student-athlete safety. 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. 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. He should have been fired., The Globe asked Belcher and other school officials to comment. And at some point, he had to leave the school for his safety. Bob Hohler can be reached at robert.hohler@globe.com. 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. While charges are pending for some students, Couceles says the coaches and school leadership should be held accountable, too. It hurts him to this day. #ada-button-frame { A FOOTBALL PLAYER IS TRYING TO PULL OFF CLOTHING FROM ANOTHER YOUNG MAN AND LATER ENDS UP ON TOP OF THE ALLEGED HAZING VICTIM. THE STUDENTS INVOLVED HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED. Crowley said the school district consulted with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and had a consultant from the Anti-Hazing collaborative work with all of their winter sports coaches. A Woburn family is seeking charges against teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. "We are committed to a thorough, multifaceted fact finding operation, and we pledge to be forthcoming regarding the results of those investigations and to enact their findings and recommendations., "As these investigations remain active and ongoing, we will continue to allow that process to unfold," he added. 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.. Something needs to be said, something to be done. They explicitly and repeatedly informed the players of those prohibitions both prior to and subsequent to the [attack]., Crowleys assertion appears contrary to head freshman coach Chris Scichilones statement in the investigative report that training related to hazing or Title IX only occurred after the incident and Andrewss statement that he did not receive any formal training with respect to hazing until after the incident.. The family is asking for accountability from the school. It's really not a bad school.". 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. He says there needs to be more accountability. The matter has also been referred to the Haverhill Police Department for further investigation, according to the school officials' message. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. The Globe's most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. 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. In his letter, Crowley said the incident that occurred this past September involved student athletes and included allegations of physical and sexual abuse of a student by their teammates. 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 In April, seven Woburn High School students were charged after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates in September 2021. "The Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. "The Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. It took a big toll on him, very big toll.. Marotta said the investigation is ongoing and significant material was uncovered Wednesday, impacting the direction of the investigation and the entire school community. KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. "I lost half of my friends. Belcher told Hanley he had left the building before the incident. No one ever came in and checked when things got loud or out of hand.. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. 2 Men Shot; 1 Dies In Early Morning Shooting In Woburn: Police, Woburn Teachers Ratify, Staff Ratify Contracts To Strike, MA Has Another Mega Millions Winner After $31M Ticket Sold In Woburn, Dive In Commonwealth Virtual Information Session, Free Online Mindfulness Session: Taming the Overactive Mind, Author Event with Sociologist Amanda Freeman, Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Woburn Public Library, Woburn Area Pet Adoption: Little, Roland, Hootie & More, Woburn Area Prospective Homeowners: Look Through 3 New Properties For Sale. The court is expected to decide in early March whether charges are warranted. Unlike Callanan, who told Hanley she feels terrible for Johnathan, Belcher expressed less empathy, saying he was aware of Coucelos before the attack in a negative way, as a pain in the neck or wise-guy.. "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. "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. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. It's not good. Attempts to reach Belcher, Duran, and Andrews were unsuccessful. In April, seven Woburn High School students were charged after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates in Last spring, several schools across the state were faced with the emergence of hazing incidents on their athletic teams, some resulting in criminal charges against athletes and ties cut with coaches, athletic directors, and top administrators. >> I DONT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH KIDS TODAY. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. Breaking News The Rockets improved to 2-0 by dominating Woburn, 35-7, last Saturday at Woburn High. An alleged hazing incident is under investigation at the high school in Woburn, Massachusetts. While school officials told the Globe their response was "comprehensive and thorough" and the DA's Office said there is an ongoing investigation, the family said it is outraged at what they say was relatively light school discipline against the football players involved in the assault and the lack of any criminal charges at those they say are responsible for the assault and ensuing harassment. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. PARENTS ARE NOW REVISITING BASIC RIGHTS AND WRONGSAT HOME. I also told the principal, who didnt stop him.. 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 "Very heartbroken.. 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. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in connection to a hazing investigation in Woburn, Massachusetts. It's not good. Police seek charges against seven students after Woburn locker room incident, After Woburn football player endures multiple alleged assaults, parents left outraged by official response. This is an active and ongoing investigation. "It was gross. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. "Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe. It goes on to show a fourth teen in underwear squatting into the victims face, while other boys screamed and cheered, according to reports. Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.. Two other Woburn students allegedly accosted Coucelos later, he said. He instills hard work, with strict rules, respect for team members and respect for adults at all times. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. Listen Live: Classic and Contemporary Celtic, Listen Live: Cape, Coast and Islands NPR Station, A reporter's indulgence no longer a secret The NBA's Damian Lillard made me a fan, Pandemic food assistance that held back hunger comes to an end, The March Drop: Stay on the move with Oscar reels and roller derbies, MIT takes steps to stop foreign espionage, but some faculty say it goes too far, Bostons police oversight office has yet to uphold a single civilian complaint. "It's just so wrong how they're handling it. "He just wants to be by himself all the time. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. It was very nasty. >> WANT TO GET STUDENTS -- STUDENT ATHLETES AND ADULT LEADERS IN A ROOM AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW TO BEAT HUMAN BEINGS. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. READINGS MATT BLASI (83) reaches to make a catch before Woburns Travis Kanoni (4) can move in. >> IT IS KIND OF DISTURBING AND NASTY. Hazing Charges Hit Woburn High Football Program The family of a freshman player said the 14-year-old was threatened, punched and sexually assaulted in No one was against it, Hanley described the player as saying. Hahn said he provided notice to the city and school district about their intent to sue. Parents of the boy who allegedly was kicked in 2018 also faulted the school administration. Belcher started his high school coaching career as an assistant at Bishop Fenwick in 2001. Instead, Belcher instructed the traumatized player to return to the field for 35 more minutes of contact drills, his complaint states. 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 former players and parents. The Middlesex County District Attorney's office says Woburn police notified them about the allegations and are investigating. Morning Weather Student leaders of the Woburn team took a stand in recent days supporting Belcher. It was very nasty," said student Felix Molina.The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus.Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave.Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. Because the investigation involves minors, both the Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office told NBC10 Boston they cannot provide information about the case. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. "As your superintendent I promise that the standards we will set for ourselves, our sports programs and how we are to treat one another will be of paramount importance as we continue to move through this process and learn all the facts and circumstances," Crowley wrote. Now there was a heavy police presence here at the game, but no issues here tonight. Haverhill High School students who saw the video said the lewd acts shown on that video happened in the locker room of the school's football stadium, Trinity Stadium. Callanan hired him in 2017 to succeed Woburns legendary coach, Rocky Nelson, and a former student who played in three of Belchers first four years at Woburn said, My first impression of him was positive. 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