"It's just so wrong how they're handling it. ", 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. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team.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.The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office also said they were notified about the allegations by police and are participating in the investigation.Officials said in Saturday's statement that the incident involved a sports team and an alleged incident that occurred "earlier in the school year. Officials said in Saturday's statement that the incident involved a sports team and an alleged incident that occurred "earlier in the school year.". An incident serious enough to put the Haverhill football coaching staff on paid administrative leave, and initiate a probe into the matter by the citys Police Department. No one was against it, Hanley described the player as saying. He was attacked in his Spanish class. They're spirits of loved ones, Bill needs a kidney: Tyngsboro man searches for lifesaving donor, Lowell Catholic boys basketball team blows out Belchertown, No end in sight for case involving Dracut doc charged with patient's death, Toddler safe, car theft suspects apprehended, MVC girls basketball: Dracut's Ashlee Talbot named Div. 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. Johnathan Coucelos, with his family: from left, mother, Jeanny, brother Jaxon, Johnathan, sister, Karmen, brother Jacob, and father, Kevin. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Hire A Woburn Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment, or retaliation in any form, the school district said in the statement. 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 CNN A high school near Pennsylvanias capital has canceled its upcoming football season over reports of hazing by members of the schools football team. 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. It's a sad situation and hopefully they figure out what happened and it doesn't happen again. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. March 1, 2022 Greater Boston. The family is asking for accountability from the school. It gets me emotional every time I have to talk about this.". Lowell Highs annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Haverhill has been canceled due to an alleged hazing incident involving Haverhill players that was 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. 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. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. There is no indication in the report that the investigator, Patrick Hanley, a former state and county prosecutor, asked Belcher, Duran, or Callanan about the purported lack of training. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The Woburn Police Department and Woburn Public Schools will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all students, the statement said. "Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment or retaliation in any form," the message reads. 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 was very nasty," said student Felix Molina. Bob Hohler can be reached at robert.hohler@globe.com. I urge all people involved to cooperate completely with the investigators so that the best and most just outcome can be reached. 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.. 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. The Woburn Police Department received a complaint Wednesday involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the Head football coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. 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. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. We're live in Woburn. Following reports of the misconduct, Attorney General Maura Healey convened a conference of policymakers to address the abuses. 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. But all these adults need to go.. The Woburn hazing accusations are the latest in a series of troubling charges of inappropriate behavior within high school athletic programs in Greater Boston. He instills hard work, with strict rules, respect for team members and respect for adults at all times. Parents of the boy who allegedly was kicked in 2018 also faulted the school administration. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. Woburn Memorial Football. I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. 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. "I fully support the superintendents actions in cancelling the Thanksgiving game, suspending those involved and conducting a full investigation. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, I JUST THINK ITS AWFUL. One has an additional "indecent assault and battery" charge. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A hazing investigation at Woburn Memorial High School has led to charges against seven high school students. "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. Coucelos, who is 14, told Jim Braude on Greater Boston Monday that his life has changed drastically since the attack, and the harassment has not stopped. 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. The Haverhill School Committee was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. REPORTER: THE FOOTBALL STADIUM AND LOCKER ROOM IS 10 MINUTES OFF-CAMPUS. 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. 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. Whats more, the boy and his parents allege, school authorities failed to correct the abusive nature of Belchers coaching after they reported the incident. Just no, they're kids temperament, that stuff. I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are. 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. Coucelos reported the violent incidents to coaches and the police who did not take enough action. "I fully support the superintendents actions in cancelling the Thanksgiving game, suspending those involved and conducting a full investigation. 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. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. This content is imported from Facebook. While arraignments have begun in Lowell Juvenile Court for seven Woburn students, including five football players, charged with assaulting Coucelos, his parents say the report underscores that Woburn school officials head football coach Jack Belcher, athletic director Jim Duran, and principal Jessica Callanan, among them failed to adequately protect their son. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. 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 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. And in Woburn, police are "investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team." The Globe's most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. Video shows alleged hazing incident that ended Haverhill football team's season, THE UNIVERSITY -- THE VIDEO YOU WILL SEE IS HIGHLY DISTURBING. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. Sources tell THIS IS VIDEO OF THE ALLEGED HAZING INCIDENT IN THE FOOTBALL LOCKROOM. He was called a snitch. The county district attorney has indicated it will join local police in the investigation. Last September, Johnathan Coucelos had just finished dressing in the freshman locker room when he got jumped by about a dozen teammates, a video recording shows. It's really not a bad school.". Couceles said his wife decided to pull their son out of the Woburn school for his safety in December. 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 Woburn Public Schools will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all students. 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. It was dirty. While charges are pending for some students, Couceles says the coaches and school leadership should be held accountable, too. 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.. Bob Hohler can be reached at robert.hohler@globe.com. But that disappointment pales in comparison to the disturbing allegations leveled at members of the Haverhill High School football team. That week, the Woburn Police Department and Middlesex District Attorney announced they were investigating the incident. 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. Crowley said in his letter Tuesday that the district has cooperated fully with the law enforcement investigation. 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 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. Two other Woburn students allegedly accosted Coucelos later, he said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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 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. PARENTS ARE NOW REVISITING BASIC RIGHTS AND WRONGSAT HOME. Belcher started his high school coaching career as an assistant at Bishop Fenwick in 2001. 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. 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