"We wish to state, without reservation, that the Woburn Public Schools took this matter seriously as soon as we learned about it and that our response was comprehensive and thorough.". It's been a turbulent few years for the Woburn football program. It's not good. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, 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. To my knowledge, there have been no other bullying allegations made to the administration regarding this individual.. 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. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! The federal Title IX law protects students against many forms of discrimination and violence, including bullying and hazing. It was very nasty. I don't think any town or any school is immune from it. It was dirty. WE NEED TO DETERMINE HOW THIS HAPPENED AND WHAT WE CAN DO SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. 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. Bullying and hazing happen when you pit players against each other like he does, Wilson said. It's not good for our school. I also told the principal, who didnt stop him.. "Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.". In a statement shared Wednesday evening, Fiorentini said he received a call from Haverhill Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Marotta, briefing him on a hazing incident at the high school. "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. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. Editorial: Put sports hazing out of its misery, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Editorial: Sports betting rollout still ironing out kinks, Editorial: Give localities control over age to vote, Editorial: DNA sleuth tracks down suspects, kin, Seeing orbs in photos? 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 There was little to no supervision in the locker room, he said. Hazing in sports has long served as sort of an initiation rite, juvenile for the most part, not demeaning and vicious in nature. 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. #ada-button-frame { "I understand that there have been strong reactions to this situation and appreciate there is a deep desire for as much information as possible regarding the incident and the school districts response," Crowley wrote. "We acknowledge and support the student and family that had the strength to come forward to report this deeply troubling matter," Woburn Superintendent of Schools Matt Crowley told the Globe. All of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. 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 September. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. The report said the freshman was then harassed for months both physically and through text messages, leading to him dropping out of school out of fear for his own safety. But all these adults need to go.. While charges are pending for some students, Couceles says the coaches and school leadership should be held accountable, too. 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. And this has very negatively impacted both Jonathan and his parents, the whole family.. All rights reserved, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of New Hampshire: An NBC10 Boston Original, Crash Causes Injuries, Lane Closure on I-95 in Peabody, Tracking the Next Hit of Wintry Weather Headed to New England, Due Late Week, Even After Investigation, Stoneham Cop Hasn't Paid Dime of Rent to New Landlord, FIRST ALERT: As Snow Continues to Fall, Weekend Storm Promises More for Boston, JetBlue Plane, Private Jet Have Close Call' at Boston's Logan Airport: FAA. 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.. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in connection to a hazing investigation in Woburn, Massachusetts. One tradition put on hold, while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm. The Middlesex County District Attorney's office says Woburn police notified them about the allegations and are investigating. When I first saw it, I thought it was just a form of competition, he said. Coucelos reported the violent incidents to coaches and the police who did not take enough action. It took a big toll on him, very big toll.. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office has said they have been notified of the incident by woburn police. Today and every day, I urge every member of our community to be kind to one another and do everything in their power to be part of making our community kinder and stronger. Saturday's statement did not provide details about the nature of the allegation and did not specifically mention the football team. OVERALL 7-4 0.64 Win %. The Globe's most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. 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.. Head football coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. But off the field, an investigation is underway, Sources tell News Center Five Police are investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team. Coucelos alleged he also was punched by another student on a school bus, but the investigation determined Coucelos himself was the aggressor. It's really not a bad school.". He says there needs to be more accountability. THE FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF IS ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE. ", Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are. The video appears to show three boys one of them wearing a Haverhill football shirt dragging another teen across the floor of a locker room. The county district attorney has indicated it will join local police in the investigation. 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. Nelson concluded Coucelos was indeed assaulted and groped in the locker room. Coaches are, by policy, considered responsible for safeguarding student-athletes against any form of abuse. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. }Customer Service, 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. "I share in the collective shock and outrage regarding this incident.". Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. No one ever came in and checked when things got loud or out of hand.. 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. "The school official, superintendent, the principal, vice principal, coaches they all should [face] consequences.. The committee will likely go into an executive session in order to determine the next steps that should be taken in the hazing investigation. Peter Hahn, the attorney representing the Couceles family, said five high school students are facing charges for assault and battery for the September incident. 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. We hadnt been winning a lot of games and I thought he might turn things around.. "I urge patience as we are all eager to view the results, myself included.". THE TEAM IS FORFEITING THE REST OF THE SEASON. It's a shame. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Woburn police are seeking assault charges in Lowell Juvenile Court against seven Woburn students, including five football players, for the alleged locker room attack and two subsequent incidents in which Johnathan was the alleged victim. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. >> WANT TO GET STUDENTS -- STUDENT ATHLETES AND ADULT LEADERS IN A ROOM AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW TO BEAT HUMAN BEINGS. After News Of Anti-Semitism On Duxburys Football Team, Where Does The Town Go From Here? 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. NEW! 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 25 new centers are expected to ease the burden on emergency rooms for patients with behavioral health crises. Seven Massachusetts students charged in connection with alleged assaults on high school football teammate. Lowell Highs annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Haverhill has been canceled due to an alleged hazing incident involving Haverhill players that was Severe Weather Alerts The Globe does not identify victims of alleged sexual assaults unless they give their consent. 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. Web7 students face charges in alleged Woburn HS hazing attack 2,940 views Apr 14, 2022 Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. 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