Sports in Mepham isvery big.. Who Is Jerry Sandusky Responsible For The Crimes At Penn State Some tryouts are not far by any means, in which the coaches pick from not the skill but by the way they know the student. Where does it end?". The school also erred by putting the coaches in one cabin and leaving the players in other cabins, supervised only by an older teammate, the report says. Youve got some Janning to do! "We're not animals. Hazing scandal rocks high school | News, Sports, Jobs - Lawrence "I couldn't even process it in my head. Football is important to the high school experience and different familys history around the world. We love kids. . Mineral ice and especially that he now had, from the first time, a cut," says Carol. When I was in ninth grade, says Lohman,my father died and my mother wanted to move toFlorida. We're in education because we love kids.". ", Are they lying? Colleges and the NCAA can make money selling jerseys and other souvenirs that might include the likeness of players, yet the actual players never receive a cent. Mepham High School football hazing case tore Long Island apart in 2003. I notice when they're injured. What went wrong? Dominick Novello #2, Mepham quarterback, throws a pass during a rain-filled Nassau County football Conference II semifinal against Long Beach at Shuart Stadium on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. But the school district, which canceled the football season last fall, has now, after seeing the grand jury report, relieved the coaches of their teaching positions at Mepham. Thursday, November 6, 2003 Posted: 1537 GMT (11:37 PM HKT) Story Tools. This incident could have been foreseeable by the coaches, and possibly the administration, if the coach reported anything to the principal and athletic director. Still, they will be held accountable for what they did on some level, she added. I cried," says Carol, who asked her friend, Jim Rullo, to make a speech on her behalf. Everybody knew I got hazed in the lockerroom, he says. And you know, I'm panicking.". A player tried to flush his head in a urinal. 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. Both coaches still don't understand why they're being blamed for what happened last summer at Mepham High School's football camp. If you do something wrong, youd better go home and pack your toothbrush because youll pay the consequences, he told the teen. 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. At this point, the victims would have already suffered numerous attacks. Were doing this so they donthave to., In July, when Reichsteins son, an incomingfreshman, showed up for football practice, a junior onthe teamthe linemanstarted calling himand some of the other boys pussy,faggot, and cocksucker.Reichstein went to McElroy. These individuals hope to be part of something special, whether its achieving individual goals or team goals. McElroy hadnothing to do with this kid, Joe Rosenthalsays. "He's victimized because I asked him to do a favor in this. Im theprincipal, he said, and Illdecide who can go on the trip. The lineman wasallowed to go to camp. Dominick Novello, Mepham battle through tough conditions to advance to No one understands this better thanMark Alter, the lawyer for the alleged ringleader.The fact that its egregious allegationsdoes not necessarily mean its not a juvenilecase, says Alter. Terroristicthreats. I believe that exclusive tryouts should be held for children because they are extremely good for their mental health in three ways: tryouts teach kids humility, in that they arent always going to be selected, they help kids learn to work harder, and they boost kids confidence. On September 17, the Bellmore-Merrick Central HighSchool District Board of Education canceledMepham's football season. But its notthe only time I hear neighbors, even parents, floatthis notion. The parents are organizing to demand that the school administration be held accountable for allowing the incident to occur, they said. My sonthinks its just a bad thing that went too far,too fast., Andy mentions what some people are sayingthatwhat happened at camp was part of a pattern of hazingat Mepham. The football players were unfairly penalized by the sanctions that were placed on the team. When athletes experience head trauma, they only recover a little, which might end their career early or other times people never recover. The Bellmore-Merrick school boards decision not to rehire the coaches next year has taken a stake and driven it right through the heart of the community again, said head coach Kevin McElroy. Its all fun and games, saysMcDermott. But other voices emerge at the meeting, corroboratingthe victims contention that hazing is a fact oflife at Mepham. Three days after camp ended, Carol and Vinny's son asked for help. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports. It looks like a tasty treat for any high school football fan. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hedoesnt have a senior season to put on hiscollege application., This guy comes to my job, says Andy.He says, Oh, Im in Mephamnow, maybe I should shove a pinecone up myass! I said, Thats notfunny. These guys on the team are gonna beharassed the rest of their fuckin lives., My son knows one of the boys who wasattacked, Mary says sadly. Four members of the faculty were either fired or forced out because of the scandal. Into the locker! display: none; At first, shock and disbelief prevailed. Here's why food advocates are worried they cant afford it. "What constitutes a scream?" Diasparra cut a deal and received probation. Sofia LaSpina has etched her name in Long Island history. They did not come to help me.Rullo quotes the parent of that child as blamingprincipal John Didden, who did not protect mychild., Four days later, Rullo and two other parents who spokereceive identical profanity-laced letters in the mail,warning that if they keep speaking out, theyllalso get the broomstick treatment. It is in the best interests of our students and the success of our program that the present coaches not be re-appointed, said Bellmore-Merrick school-board member Norbert Billig. ''Our issue is our children are being blamed,'' said Paule Pachter, one of the parents in the group. MEPHAM COACHES BOOTED IN HAZING SCANDAL News MEPHAM COACHES BOOTED IN HAZING SCANDAL By Kieran Crowely November 6, 2003 5:00am Hugged by his team captain and cheered by supporters, Mepham. Kids and adults are then forced to take a side on the issue for the good of the school and the safety of the children. 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 . You know, what could be going on? Bellmore Journal; Life Goes On but Is Altered After School Scandal. Most high school athletes across America share one common aspiration: play their sport at the next level in college. And he told us that they were keeping them up. This guysstill the head coach., Its a fact of lifein Bellmore and Merrick that the farther south you go,the more money youll find. After Dax Shepard asked her about her musical chairs relationship situation. Anyplayer that wants to be on the football team can be onthe team. Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death L.I. Village Split Over Decision To Forfeit Game Over Hazing The boy was a member of the 2007 Charlton County High School junior varsity golf team. They reallycouldnt do anything about it. Most of these scouts are from college teams, and others are from, Every year individuals from all across the United States makes the decision on whether or not they will try out for an interscholastic athletic team. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, Chamber, mayors office are no match for the Thunderbolts. ''Despite these warnings and policies, the players all expected hazing to take place in one form or another at the camp,'' the report said. He was 40 years old. 28 - 13 W. 10/22/2022. Source: Football players to be tried as juveniles - CNN Broomsticks dipped in mineral ice, a kind of liquid heat, golf balls, pine cones and toothbrushes, were all pushed into the boy's rectums. Scandal at New Jersey High school reopens hazing debate That washazing! And he stands where the priest stood and speaks,reading from crinkled sheets of paper rapidly, almostinaudibly, in a low monotone. . The crime scene evidence that convicted Alex Murdaugh 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. 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 . Know what is expected andacceptable. Be responsible. 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. no.". "The kid who just made the tackle," says Cannestro, identifying one of the players on the tape. ''We don't do it in front of them,'' the teenager said, referring to the victims. "He was absolutely screaming. What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan shows just that. Some parents and athletes believe equal playing time for all sports and activities is deserved all through their middle school and high school careers. But they dont want to appearself-serving, he says. Then it became a football school. Report Says Hazing Culture Led to Attacks On 3 Athletes !Effin this, effinthatyoure not coming on my team,youre done, youre done, youredone! And I started screaming at him.. A problem arises though once try outs are over and the team is announced. 18 - 35 L. 10/15/2022. Days later, the school wentahead with its annual pep rally, in a gesture ofsupport for Coach Mac and the sidelined Pirates. Its the kind of bar where people stillsmoke and no one cares. This is hard tosayI know he was a good coach and a lot of kidsliked him. Bells toll. Thepurported ringleader, according to police, was thelineman. What's more, before camp, parents Victor and Kristina Reichstein say Carney threatened their 13-year-old son. On September 17, the Bellmore-Merrick Central HighSchool District Board of Education canceledMephams football season. On 10/22, the Mepham varsity football team won their home conference game against South Side (Rockville Centre, NY) by a score of 49-18. A pack of teenagers congregates across the street from Mepham High School, smoking their . Theres fury and finger-pointingandopportunityon all sides in this corner of LongIsland. The team did it along with some guidance from my assistant coach and the parents. Your sonwoo hoo!Hes having fun. Once rated one of the best academic high. College athletics are oftentimes not as glamorous as one would think. 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. If three victims getanything close to that much each, it would devastatethe school districts budget. Travis Barkers Finger Is Now the Enema of Blink-182 Fans. The group, which calls itself Mepham Parents 4 Change, consists of eight families, but says it is quickly gathering support. Mepham was known mainlyfor its wrestling program until Coach Mac arrived in1986. When Patty and Jimmy's son came home, he told them he had been sodomized, too. ''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. Four days ago, hisfather died in his sleep. That decision ''let down and insulted the victims and their families,'' the report says. The conversation easily shifts to a defenseof Coach Mac. "Yeah," says Cannestro. 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 Once the season started, eight players tackled him inthe locker room and lowered him into the toilet; thistime, he says, it contained urine. '', ''This is a wake-up call,'' said the father of one of the victims, who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect his son. Most are no longer talking about the issue publicly, tired of the maelstrom of feelings that is stirred each time. I think the kids covered it up to saveCoach Mac and save their season., Tending bar at Docs is Rob McDermott, class of95. Students attend a pep rally at Mepham High School in Bellmore, N.Y. The answer to all those questions is no.". Youth sports are becoming too intense for young children to keep up with. In the meantime, experts say violent hazings in high schools are becoming more frequent. We got the ball first on kick off and we made a touchdown on the first few drives.On. It was just too outrageous," says Jimmy. In the case of my four month concussion, there are residual mental and physical problems. Perhaps most prominent among the group are Victor and Kristina Reichstein, who have criticized the school's principal, John F. Didden, and the team's head coach, Kevin McElroy, from the beginning. That hasnt satisfied parents whocomplain about the lost scholarships, the deflatedhomecoming celebration, and the fund-raisers for othersports, all of which depend on football and are nowruined, theyre saying, because of a couple ofmessed-up kids. Hisfriend was a captain on the team, he maybe was gonnaget a scholarship. We've received your submission. We care about kids. Over the course of five days, their sons were brutally sodomized by their teammates. They were carried outover several nights, with several victims, one of whomrequired surgery for his injuries. On 11/11, the Mepham varsity football team won their neutral playoff game against Long Beach (NY) by a score of 14-0. MINEOLA, N.Y. -- Mepham High School football coach Kevin McElroy said Tuesday he was "shocked" by allegations that members of his varsity squad sexually abused younger players and said he. She says Didden said no twice.Thats when Vic stood up and called Didden aliar. The public was barred from the hearing, but the penalties and the judges comments were disclosed by relatives of victims, lawyers and cops. In an earlier proceeding, the three attackers, charged as juveniles, admitted to the assaults. The kid that did it, I feel so bad forhim, the boy says. And would you let it happen a second and third time? I am 13 years old and I am on the Friendswood junior high C-football team I am a second string slot receiver and starting strong safety and I 'm also a second string strong side linebacker it was our last game of the season,so we really wanted to go out on the win or a record for the season was one way in five losses and one tie,we hadn 't had a great season so we especially wanted to go out on a win. They could be home as early as next month. McElroy was practically a secondfather to Zereoue when the running back moved to ahome for wayward boys in Bellmorearriving, toMephams good fortune, at the start of hishigh-school career. But are they really fortunate? Sofia was sentenced to the boot camp and Carney to the detention center both in Pennsylvania. Not a lot of kids are good enough to play in the top college sports programs in the country. The incident angered the victim's mother, who. Jason Statham and Aubrey Plaza do not seem like a match made in action-comedy-chemistry heaven, but it somehow works. "He was robbed of his innocence. Does heknow this for sure? Trust me been there done that, the most regretted thing about school sports for many are tryouts. Go ahead. Clutching their schoolbooks in their arms, Allie and Sarah said they actually felt tremendous pride in their school these days. But the school board was unswayed by the coaches defenders. "He was laying in bed with a big butcher knife in his hand 'cause he was scared. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, Chamber, mayors office are no match for the Thunderbolts. It stated that, at the camp,. When members of a high-school football team on Long Island were accused of sexual attacks, the community was appalled . Heand a group of kids have me surrounded. Soon after the first revelations of the attacks, the Reichsteins reached out to newspapers and television stations with their story. That was until Berger started practicethe August before his freshman year.