Why wasn't there a coach sleeping in the cabins? He taught us not to run away from ourproblems., How old were these kids, 16, 17? saysAndrew Longaro. He says the coach started yelling.Hes like, No! ), I knew all those kids, saysanother boy, a JV player. Everybody knew I got hazed in the lockerroom, he says. Hasnt hebeen through enough? Just because someone shows up and participates, doesnt not mean they deserve the same treatment as everyone else. Research shows that 70% of kids drop out of sports for many reasons and not making the team is one. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. That kid wassick! says a player named Rob. Sofia LaSpina has etched her name in Long Island history. I went to summerschool with them. The lineman, he says,was always starting fights. And I know the family of one of theattackers. 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 . In an earlier proceeding, the three attackers, charged as juveniles, admitted to the assaults. What's gonna come out of this is another parent is gonna say, 'Oh, I'm gonna make sure there's no hazing at my school.'" Now even they, however, have grown weary, wishing for a return to their old life. But rather, in my opinion, how could the coaches have known?" This guysstill the head coach., Its a fact of lifein Bellmore and Merrick that the farther south you go,the more money youll find. Mary explodes. Its the kind of bar where people stillsmoke and no one cares. And he's looking for something in the house to hurt himself.' He cites essays abouthazing from the Internet, including an academic paperby Elizabeth Allan of the University of Maine thatincludes in a long list of hazing activitiessexual simulation and sexual assault., The conduct took place in a juvenilesetting, Alter argues. And he stands where the priest stood and speaks,reading from crinkled sheets of paper rapidly, almostinaudibly, in a low monotone. On 11/4, the Mepham varsity football team won their home conference game against MacArthur (Levittown, NY) by a score of 14-7. As she accepts her Someone to Watch award on stage. Reichstein triedto stare the lineman down. In the case of my four month concussion, there are residual mental and physical problems.
After bullying allegations, Middleton coach allowed to resign with Tell us how you did it coach. These words were forced into my face with a camera lens almost resting against my cheeks (page 395). CNN. 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. 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. Oh, Loosey! At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, The crime scene evidence that convicted Alex Murdaugh, How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh, Murdaugh defense team plans to appeal conviction, Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death. Now, McElroy and Junior Varsity Coach Art Cannestro exclusively tell their story to 48 Hours. "They couldn't be further from the truth," says Cannestro. Most are no longer talking about the issue publicly, tired of the maelstrom of feelings that is stirred each time. "Not once. 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. No," says McElroy. Coaches, the report says, were oblivious to what was occurring. Thats when Berger says Coach Mac lunged athimhis hand reaching the boys throat. But critics say their mistakes started early. On September 17, the Bellmore-Merrick Central HighSchool District Board of Education canceledMepham's football season. He previously suffered a brain aneurysm on February 18, and was ultimately taken off life support. The coaches, who supervised the trip, say that they had no idea any of this was happening during the camp. OK? Kevin Minnick | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com | Dec 7, 2022. ''People just want to move on,'' said one teenager, sucking on his cigarette. So it just goes on and on. Soon after the first revelations of the attacks, the Reichsteins reached out to newspapers and television stations with their story. My first reason I believe athletes with bad grades shouldnt play sports, For years, the use of performance-enhancing drugs has haunted all levels of sport, baseball taking the majority of the publicity. Anotherparent, Jim Rullo, delivers a prepared statement onbehalf of the victims families. Mysons season has been completely fucked up!
Mepham High School Football Scandal - Nymag - New York Magazine Which mayexplain why Coach Mac, in his only public statement,has concurred with Caramore. The three attackers were charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse after they sodomized the younger players with pine cones, golf balls and a broomstick in August at a football camp in Preston Park, Pa. The father died on October 5a daybefore news broke that the lineman may be tried as anadult for some 26 felonies stemming from events thattook place over several late nights in August atMephams football-training camp in Wayne County,Pennsylvania. The coaches let him go, the report says, ''because he was a good football player. 28 - 13 W. 10/22/2022. "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. "We're not suggesting anything about injuries. Theres no way youcant play me. Mepham High School (North Bellmore, NY) Varsity Football Varsity Boys Football North Bellmore, NY FOLLOW TEAM 22-23 V. Football Home Schedule Roster Standings Rankings Photos Videos News More / Mepham High School Football Mepham Football OVERALL 10-2 0.83 Win % LEAGUE 8-1 2nd in League HOME6-0 AWAY3-1 NEUTRAL1-1 PF334 PA169 STREAK1L Thursday, November 6, 2003 Posted: 1537 GMT (11:37 PM HKT) Story Tools. But the school board was unswayed by the coaches defenders. Life goes on in Bellmore, despite the sex-abuse scandal involving members of the high school football team that has roiled this Long Island community. Berger says his friends persuaded him to stay off theteam. ''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. In that case, new players at. Instead, thevictims were laughed at in the halls, calledfaggot and broomstick boy.The superintendent, Thomas Caramore, shielded theschool from inquiries at first. Before lastmonth, Mepham High was generally known as anabove-average school with a robust athletic program.Fathers and sons have played for the Mepham Pirates,and Saturday football games are huge social events.The players are the schools heroes: With thepossible exception of Roone Arledge, Mephamsmost famous alumnus has been star Pittsburgh Steelersrunning back Amos Zereoue. 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. A pack of teenagers congregates across the street from Mepham High School, smoking their cigarettes and clowning. We dont beat guysup., Some of his old teammates have gathered to buy drinksfrom him.
mepham high school football scandal - tourdefat.com No!! 2023 Vox Media, LLC. What about, say, having your head flushed in a toilet? Did either coach notice anything on these children's faces? "I couldn't even process it in my head. Including dishwasher-safe Japanese porcelain, two sets of French-made knives, and a sleek kettle.
Football: State record broken in Holy Spirit's Thanksgiving win over Waiting outside in front of the hearseis a police escort, to ward off the media. Three days after camp ended, Carol and Vinny's son asked for help. This wasn't just something that happened when the lights went out.". He went to camp but didntstay in the fated cabin. Half that shit they didisnt even that bad.. 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. The answer to all those questions is no.". In my opinion, a good education is so very important for our countrys youth, especially the athletes. The coaches' lawyer and officials for the Bellmore-Merrick School District did not comment on the report's findings or its criticisms. That blond buzzcut, the baby face, the meager beginnings of agoateehes only 16, too young to beburying his father. West Jersey Football League all-stars: United Division, 2022.
Experts: Parents and coaches must be vigilant to curb hazing in teen The lineman was furious. 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. Five football coaches at the center of the Mepham High School sexual abuse scandal will not be allowed to coach the team next year, the Bellmore-Merrick school board said on Wednesday. Those kids are running at full speed. Vic and Kristina have done The Early Show and20/20. '', ''This is a wake-up call,'' said the father of one of the victims, who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect his son. "There were no screams. I want to thank my assistant coach who is the baseball expert. "They had bags of ice and they were bashing it all over his body until the bags broke. Terms of Service apply. 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. But my son says nobody knew he would cross theline., Andys son plays lacrosse. MaxPreps is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 2022 Fall Boys Football New York: Long Island Division II.
Mepham has big hill to climb against Garden City in battle of unbeatens MERRICK, N.Y. On a crisp autumn night, hundreds packed a school auditorium, but not for a pep rally, for Mepham High School's football season was canceled before it even began. "Did I tell the perpetrators to go and do that to those kids? The guy grabbed me in front of the wholeteam, Berger says. He had his little list. Coach Mac talked to my mom, convinced us tostay.
Children have strived for years to make their parents, teachers and coaches proud of them. At Mepham High School on Long Island, the entire football season was canceled after players admitted to sadistically hazing fellow teammates. Youre old enough to knowwhat youre doing., I had some friends who were older, saysMcDermott. "And if you had a broomstick stuck up your rectum, you'd be screaming and fighting forever to make sure that didn't happen, wouldn't you? They could be home as early as next month.
Atlantic City Football 2022-2023 - NJ.com says Cannestro. Anyone can read what you share. The grand jury has been investigating the attacks for months to determine whether the coaches should be indicted and what led to the assaults. If three victims getanything close to that much each, it would devastatethe school districts budget. "The kid who just made the tackle," says Cannestro, identifying one of the players on the tape. For a select number of fortunate athletes, that dream becomes a reality when they commit to a school and sign their letter of intent. 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. Four days ago, hisfather died in his sleep. Once the season started, eight players tackled him inthe locker room and lowered him into the toilet; thistime, he says, it contained urine. Regardless, I was all about making them the best well-rounded people before they head into the cruel world. Moreover, they must spend money on equipment, clothing, and food (37). On a warm night in October,Mary Williams and her boyfriend, Andy Corcoran, bothMepham class of 1980, sit having a drink. All the while, older players watched and laughed. But at a hearing in Honesdale, Pa., President Judge Robert Conway barred 16-year-old Tom Diasparra from returning to the Bellemore, L.I., high school and warned him to watch his step. Although some parents claim that their child has felt so defeated by an unsuccessful tryout that they dont want to continue with the sport, this is not always what happens. More than 60 players attended the camp, including the boy's best friend Patty and Jimmy's son who was also just 13. Football is important to the high school experience and different familys history around the world. Hes the man of the family now. Bells toll. He had to tell people what happened to him," says Carol. Were more Jewish! another kidyells, laughing. Student athletes are not getting the opportunity to play multiple sports during the year, because they are expected to spelize in one sport and focus on it year round, leaving no opportunity to play other sports or do other activities. They reallycouldnt do anything about it. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us. Criminal coercion. Trending News We're in education because we love kids.". Did you know that depending on the sport, students who play sports in college most likely have less than a 2% chance of becoming professional athletes? . Sofia was sent to a boot camp, and Carney was sent to a juvenile detention center. 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. I said, 'What's the matter?' 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. Kids have come to practice Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday to get better, while their academics are suffering. '', Report Says Hazing Culture Led to Attacks On 3 Athletes, https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/11/nyregion/report-says-hazing-culture-led-to-attacks-on-3-athletes.html. And McElroy neverprevented him from playing on the varsity team.
The victims didn't tell us. Then it became a football school. 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. "The bottom line is, if we did anything wrong, we wouldn't be sitting here talking to you," says Cannestro. "He said to him, 'Don't even think of sleeping at football camp. Heresisted, and according to his version of events, heremembers a JV coach telling him to roll with it. The abuse occurred day and night, and young players were attacked repeatedly and forced to sodomize each other, the report says. The Mepham-Garden City football game this week could be a juicy one. It stated that, at the camp,. The Mepham High School football season was eventually cancelled and the three upperclassman were charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, terroristic threats, criminal coercion, simple assault, reckless endangering of another person, ethnic intimidation, and criminal conspiracy. Judge Robert J. Conway chose to try the accused as juveniles. "The question should not be the coaches should have known. A player tried to flush his head in a urinal. His broad shoulders are slumpedand trembling as he walks the coffin down the aisle ofSaint Barnabas Church in Bellmore, Long Island. They demanded that the boy be barred from camp but were rebuffed, they said. The school's 2003 football season was canceled amid allegations that three varsity football players sexually assaulted three . Long Beach. He's back home on Long Island. The problem was with thekidsand with the parents who brought them upthat way., Sothe parents. "We're not animals. Over the course of five days, their sons were brutally sodomized by their teammates. Its all fun and games, saysMcDermott. So, no., But, you know, says McDermott, ifthey wanted to do it? The issue of blame, however, continues to polarize parents and promises to loom larger as the criminal case moves ahead. But he wonders whether whathappened at camp could have been prevented if hehadnt settled his lawsuit. It devastated us. On 11/4, the Mepham varsity football team won their home playoff game against Elmont Memorial (Elmont, NY) by a score of 14-7.
Mepham High School Football Scandal - nymag.com 1999, McAlester High School, Oklahoma: A football player suffered a head injury after he was jumped by older teammates in a locker-room hazing. By Michael Luo. The transition to college is not a walk in the park, but add a rigorous summer conditioning program, two-a-days everyday, and the pressures of coaches you have yet to impress, and you have a recipe for disaster. That decision ''let down and insulted the victims and their families,'' the report says. ''Our parents are being blamed. Terroristicthreats. This was a sexual attack!, Are we gonna argue about this? Decent football player, though.. Nor did he suspendthe three alleged perpetrators, and as a result, theywere allowed to walk the hallways of Mepham High fornearly two weeks. One was sent to a boot camp, another to a juvenile treatment facility and the third returned home on probation. Hisfriend was a captain on the team, he maybe was gonnaget a scholarship.
When several parents received threatening letters after speaking out about the incident, emotions ratcheted higher.
Meet the Long Island High Schooler Who Made History With a Touchdown It's the biggest week of the year for high school wrestling fans. Theres a no-cut policy. PARLIN, N.J. - The investigation at a New Jersey prep football powerhouse that has led to sex crime charges against seven teens prompted an almost unheard-of . Now when they talk about Mepham, they use the wordssodomy and hazing. ''It's got to end here. If they have failing grades as well, the colleges are sending their students into the world without a real chance at becoming professional athletes, and without an actual education. That boy was not hurt at camp, but other kids were. This incident could have been foreseeable by the coaches, and possibly the administration, if the coach reported anything to the principal and athletic director. And people who might have had the chance to prevent this incident are not being held accountable.''. Nassau County Girl Scouts fundraise for victims of quake in Syria, Turkey at Masjid Hamza, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. The coach told Bergerhe needed a physical. Here's why food advocates are worried they cant afford it. But the happy boys these parents sent to camp last summer didn't return that way. A few blocks from school, Allie Pagano and Sarah Mirenda, both 14, stop at the local pizza shop, Luigi's, on their way home. Ultimately, its gonnabe a civil case. Abner Louima sued the New YorkPolice Department for $155 million, eventuallysettling for $8.75 million. Everything Everywhere All at Once has won in every category they were nominated for. I dont evencare what they did.. In this case the youth should be tried as adults because of the severity of the incident and the emotional and physical effect that it had on the victim, It was six o 'clock at the Friendswood junior high mustang field I was playing strong safety and I had to cover the extra receiver they brought out by the snap I was already beating my man and the next thing I know the ball was sailing my way straight to me. They were later suspended from classes on September 18. The Bellmore-Merrick Board of Education voted unanimously tonight to cancel this year's football season at a Long Island high school that had been reeling from allegations that three older. When the allegations surfaced in early September, the three accused teenagers were suspended from Mepham High School's football team. The football players were unfairly penalized by the sanctions that were placed on the team. He was dyingto play for the Pirateshed gotten AmosZereoues autograph when Zereoue visited hisjunior high. "There's nothing anyone else could have done differently," adds Cannestro. Werent theyalready on the right track? Go to the back of theline.. Thanks for contacting us. 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.
Report Says Hazing Culture Led to Attacks On 3 Athletes
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