mepham high school football scandal

They could be home as early as next month. Of course this thing escalated tosodomy, Berger says. Most are no longer talking about the issue publicly, tired of the maelstrom of feelings that is stirred each time. I want to thank my assistant coach who is the baseball expert. Reichstein called Didden, whose reply, according toReichstein, was that there was no hazing at Mepham,because if there were, wed cancelfootball season. (Didden and his attorney didnot return repeated calls.) He did more for me than any coach ever. He says the coach started yelling.Hes like, No! The coaches also showed 48 Hours a tape never before made public - one they say was recorded on the last day of camp. Hasnt hebeen through enough? It has been more than a month since school officials and prosecutors revealed that three older players were accused of sodomizing three freshmen with broomsticks, pine cones and golf balls in an attack in late August at a preseason football camp in Pennsylvania. Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death That decision ''let down and insulted the victims and their families,'' the report says. This was a sexual attack!, Are we gonna argue about this? He had to tell people what happened to him," says Carol. One afternoon after practice, they air theirtheories, the chief one being that the lineman musthave been traumatized as a kid. When Patty and Jimmy's son came home, he told them he had been sodomized, too. These parents are now lobbying for a national hazing law, one with severe penalties. But critics say their mistakes started early. We as coaches donot see this incident as hazing, he said,but as a criminal act., Coach Mac has an attorney, Joseph Rosenthal, who isshifting the blame right back to the parents.The coach is a very dedicated, sincereperson, the lawyer says. For me, this challenge helped me develop as a person than will work harder and strive for the best in my academics. And my son said, 'They inserted a broomstick.'". We wanted them to be tried as adults, but we lost that battle. Michelle Yeoh Promises No Swearing, Only Tears During Best Lead Performance Win. But others angrily argue that not enough attention is being paid to the victims' ordeals. And his youth. Tryouts are the worst thing about sports, they bring nothing but more stress to your plate. But other voices emerge at the meeting, corroboratingthe victims contention that hazing is a fact oflife at Mepham. The school's 2003 football season was canceled amid allegations that three varsity football players sexually assaulted three . They have criticized the coaches and school district for lax supervision, accusing Mepham officials of ignoring the long disciplinary record of one of the three attackers. The football players were unfairly penalized by the sanctions that were placed on the team. How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh 2023 Vox Media, LLC. This password will be used to sign into all, I Inherited Millions From My Mother, and Everyone Knows, Shania Twain Gives Rare Update on Her Ex-Husband and Ex-BFF, Journey Should Probably Go Their Separate Ways, 10 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Glass Jars to Guayabera Shirts. Athletes must commit time to practice and traveling. I need to know for medical.' All the negative attention has galvanized them, they said. Nor did he suspendthe three alleged perpetrators, and as a result, theywere allowed to walk the hallways of Mepham High fornearly two weeks. NEW! 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. Subscriber Exclusive. We said, 'Are they hurting you?' The coach wentalong with canceling the season because he knew kidswere not coming forward. It is understandable that everyone can not make the team but it is a terrible thing to cut children by telling them they did not have enough room on the team or are not ready to be on it. It was horrible. Thats when Berger says Coach Mac lunged athimhis hand reaching the boys throat. Theyre sick of reporters, andtheyre worried about the lineman. OK? That kid wassick! says a player named Rob. On a Friday morning in August, 60 kids were droppedoff for the bus ride to Pennsylvania. Rullo, now a community activist for change in his school district, says he received numerous letters and phone calls, including one that said that he and his family would die. The abuse occurred day and night, and young players were attacked repeatedly and forced to sodomize each other, the report says. (Smith/AP) Last week's criminal charges involving six New Mexico high school football players alleged to have sexually . We have more wealthy backgrounds, saysDanny. During his career, the prolific actor inhabited an array of troubled characters. The coaches' lawyer and officials for the Bellmore-Merrick School District did not comment on the report's findings or its criticisms. "Yeah," says Cannestro. On Bellmore Avenue, themain drag in town, a mile or so east of Mepham,Docs Pub serves as an unofficial class-reunionspace. 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. says Cannestro. Every year parents and students of local schools can come and enjoy seeing kids of their community playing football, which could make a player's future bright, and a grandparent proud. Afew miles awaysouth of Sunrise Highway, down bythe blue water of East BayBMWs and Lexuses fillthe lot at the rival high school, John F. Kennedy.This was Amy Fishers high schoolthe richschool. Everything Everywhere All at Once has won in every category they were nominated for. Whos going to give him thatmoney now? "He was laying in bed with a big butcher knife in his hand 'cause he was scared. Despite the linemans threats, noone could have anticipated what happened atcamp, Caramore told parents in a speech, adding thatwhatever happened wasnt hazing:None of us in Bellmore-Merrick has used thatterm to define what is, in fact, a brutalcrime., The hazing-or-not debate is a key factor in the legalbattles to come. They hit his headon the porcelain and he got a concussion. 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. What I know about the Berger incident isit did not involve hazing. What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan shows just that. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us. Everyone laughs. In 1994, Wesley Bergerwas a Mepham freshman, a football player with a shelfof trophiesMVP for the peewee league,fastest-runner and best-tackler awards. Everyone in the pews has heard how the father had beendevastated by the criminal charges his son was facing.Aggravated assault. In the end, they will be left unprepared for life. That boy was not hurt at camp, but other kids were. Waiting outside in front of the hearseis a police escort, to ward off the media. The star lineman towersover most of the other pallbearers. When several parents received threatening letters after speaking out about the incident, emotions ratcheted higher. 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. Did either coach notice anything on these children's faces? He never judged us, saysDave Lohman, class of 94. Were more Jewish! another kidyells, laughing. In earlier interviews, the head coach, Kevin McElroy, and his four assistants have said they did not know about the attacks, and could have done nothing to prevent them. He wrestled instead. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { 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 conversation easily shifts to a defenseof Coach Mac. He was 40 years old. 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. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. ), I knew all those kids, saysanother boy, a JV player. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. . What's more, before camp, parents Victor and Kristina Reichstein say Carney threatened their 13-year-old son. He told Pennsylvaniapolice that he couldnt release informationabout a student without a subpoena. Werent theyalready on the right track? Hed just beat upon peoplehed be walking by andboom! The emotional impact on him is unbelievable," adds Carol. And one of the leaders selected joined with two other varsity players to sodomize these children. The victims didn't tell us. 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. 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. Conway could have sentenced the three including Phil Sofia, 17, and Ken Carney, 16 to juvenile jail until they turned 21 or he could have given them probation. I notice when they're injured. Instead, thevictims were laughed at in the halls, calledfaggot and broomstick boy.The superintendent, Thomas Caramore, shielded theschool from inquiries at first. She says Didden said no twice.Thats when Vic stood up and called Didden aliar. Sports in Mepham isvery big.. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. South Side. And McElroy neverprevented him from playing on the varsity team. 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. After all, theywerent just studentsthey wereathletes.. It's, like, they're monsters," says Patty. Including intelligent heated gloves, soothing foot rollers, and classic cabbage-shaped servingware. 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. 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. The coaches say they were staying in another cabin less than 50 yards from the players, and if anyone screamed, they would have heard it. I want to bepart of the team.. Your sonwoo hoo!Hes having fun. One was sent to a boot camp, another to a juvenile treatment facility and the third returned home on probation. 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. A minivan with two others whizzes by, music blaring. In the case of my four month concussion, there are residual mental and physical problems. "He's one of the victims.". The answer to all those questions is no.". Why wasn't there a coach sleeping in the cabins? Here's why food advocates are worried they cant afford it. The kid that did it, I feel so bad forhim, the boy says. He's back home on Long Island. It looks like a tasty treat for any high school football fan. "All of a sudden, you get this child who's been broken. Reichsteins wife,Kristina, then begged Didden to make an example of thelineman. He had his little list. display: none; We got all new things to bring to pack. 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. 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. Since returning from camp, he has barely slept. Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: As part of your account, youll receive occasional updates and offers from New York, which you can opt out of anytime. "Not once. Hasan Minhaj Brings His Powerpoints and Power Suits to Independent Spirit Awards. Before the 68 varsity and junior-varsity players left the Long Island communities of Bellmore and Merrick to attend the weeklong camp in Preston Park, Pa., coaches warned the team that hazing would not be tolerated, and spelled out the edict in a note sent home to players' parents. Heresisted, and according to his version of events, heremembers a JV coach telling him to roll with it. Regardless, I was all about making them the best well-rounded people before they head into the cruel world. Due to the poormoral character of your children, Kristina saysCaramore told the parents, this investigationis not moving forward. She stood up and askedDidden twice if any child had been threatened beforethe camp incidents. There were no screams like that.". #inline-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { In my mind, the school made a major error innot suspending these three allegedperpetrators, says Robert Kelly, an attorneyfor two victims. Says one Mepham parent, Werealways in competition with the upper class., The kids on Kennedys football team know theMepham team, and theyre a little afraid of someof them. Now when they talk about Mepham, they use the wordssodomy and hazing. 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. The sentences are indeterminate, but will be reviewed every four months. I dont evencare what they did.. . They also understand they will need to sacrifice time, energy, and their social life in order to achieve these goals. And would you let it happen a second and third time? What went wrong? Now the Reichsteins have written the stateDepartment of Education, demanding an investigation. We love our children. 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. Two of the kids are underclassmen, littlekids, he says. Treat others with the respect that you wouldlike to receive. Act appropriately. } Im theprincipal, he said, and Illdecide who can go on the trip. The lineman wasallowed to go to camp. Involuntary deviate sexualintercourse. When the allegations surfaced in early September, the three accused teenagers were suspended from Mepham High School's football team. We dontalways understand, and we dont alwayssee. He attempts a little levityIknow he shared his hopes for the Yankees with theLordbefore straining for profundity:The great artist has finished hisportrait. He urges the mourners to say a prayerfor the family. 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. When tryouts begin these individuals hope their skills and abilities will get them recognized by not only the coaches, but the returning players as well. Imagine your best friends making the school soccer team and you getting cut, because your not ready or there is no room. 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. Coach Mac talked to my mom, convinced us tostay. It devastated us. *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. He was always in troubleat school, but not in football. But for the victims' families, the report came as a vindication, they said. We love kids. Both told stories of defending their school when they were teased by students outside the district and cited the ''Mepham Pride'' buttons that they and many classmates have taken to wearing. Theres fury and finger-pointingandopportunityon all sides in this corner of LongIsland. But the grand jury did not find the coaches criminally negligent. West Jersey Football League all-stars: United Division, 2022. At Mepham High School on Long Island, the entire football season was canceled after players admitted to sadistically hazing fellow teammates. Oh, Loosey! 49 - 18 W. The parishioners sing Make Me aChannel of Your Peace. And then the younglineman, who charged onto the varsity squad hissophomore year at W.C. Mepham High SchoolHomeof the Piratesis in tears. I'm grabbing all the medication out of my cabinet and looking for everything that I think he's gonna hurt himself. We love our community. All the while, older players watched and laughed. . For a select number of fortunate athletes, that dream becomes a reality when they commit to a school and sign their letter of intent. CNN. If you do something wrong, youd better go home and pack your toothbrush because youll pay the consequences, he told the teen. Legendary football coach Joe Paterno was one of those who was fired, which shook up the coaching staff. He even threatened teachers. Thursday, November 6, 2003 Posted: 1537 GMT (11:37 PM HKT) Story Tools. As well as rebuking the attackers, the report criticizes the school system and the Pennsylvania judge who handled the cases. At least one group of parents has decided they will continue to speak out. All five lost their coaching positions. 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. Many parents, especially those with children on the football team, have found it hard adjusting to their new reality in the center of a fishbowl. In an earlier proceeding, the three attackers, charged as juveniles, admitted to the assaults. Were happy as can be, said Carol, an aunt of one of the victims. "Standing up and giving a 'rah, rah' when my son and the other boys are hurting in this way is so disrespectful. Nassau County Girl Scouts fundraise for victims of quake in Syria, Turkey at Masjid Hamza, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. A few blocks from school, Allie Pagano and Sarah Mirenda, both 14, stop at the local pizza shop, Luigi's, on their way home. Those kids are running at full speed. And I know the family of one of theattackers. Not like Wesley Berger, Vic says.Hes overexposed.. On the second day, the incidents became brutal. "Am I an evil person? According to a local new report, two older students called the boy to the back of the bus and, in addition to the wedgie, punched the 13-year-old in the groin and stomach all as a part of an initiation ritual. Sofia was sentenced to the boot camp and Carney to the detention center both in Pennsylvania. But they dont want to appearself-serving, he says. On a warm night in October,Mary Williams and her boyfriend, Andy Corcoran, bothMepham class of 1980, sit having a drink. 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. Once in high school, senior athletes have scouts that come out to see them play. Vic and Kristina have done The Early Show and20/20. Now the . It stated that, at the camp,. 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 JUDGE SLAMS MEPHAM HAZERS By Erin Calabrese January 15, 2004 5:00am A Pennsylvania judge imposed strong penalties yesterday on two teens who sexually abused younger players at a high school. Students attend a pep rally at Mepham High School in Bellmore, N.Y. For many years, people have been debating about whether sports teams for kids should have selective tryouts. A day later, the three alleged victims are stillhaving broomsticks thrown at them from cars in theparking lot. Theyre a beautiful family. When I was in ninth grade, says Lohman,my father died and my mother wanted to move toFlorida. Touring the world with friends one mile and pub at a time; We were afraid they would walk away with probation.. Three days after camp ended, Carol and Vinny's son asked for help. 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. Students have pushed their bodies to the limits, causing extreme injury that will hold them back from sports in the future. Its the kind of bar where people stillsmoke and no one cares. In my opinion, a good education is so very important for our countrys youth, especially the athletes. More than 60 players attended the camp, including the boy's best friend Patty and Jimmy's son who was also just 13. Now even they, however, have grown weary, wishing for a return to their old life. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "There were no screams. Our community is being blamed. (Almost as prevalent is the idea, notconfirmed by police, that the linemans fathercommitted suicide. Children have strived for years to make their parents, teachers and coaches proud of them. Go ahead. at Garden City. ''We don't do it in front of them,'' the teenager said, referring to the victims. The two boys join their sister tobring the Communion offerings forward as the mournerssing Be Not Afraid.. It would be the adventure of his life five days of intense football in the woods of Pennsylvania. Not, 'Coach, things aren't good over here.' "They had bags of ice and they were bashing it all over his body until the bags broke. A perfect example would be a 13-year-old Georgia student riding a school bus received a wedgie during a school hazing incident so painful that his mother took him to the emergency room. Not a wink. Full speed," says McElroy. Where does it end?". In the southern reachesof Long Island, nestled between the bucolic SouthernState Parkway and the fast-food joints and cardealerships on Sunrise Highway, the four small townsof Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick, and NorthMerrick make up a solid community of working- andmiddle-class families. Kristina and Vic Reichstein stand upand say their son, a freshman, was threatened by thelineman during practice in July and August. And coming in, you expect it.Youre ready for it., From what I heard, the guys stuck his head inthe toilet, and that was it. This story has been shared 140,209 times. He strokes his sisters hair withone hand and slides an arm around his brothersshoulders. 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. Because the National Football League sits on a higher platform, they bring in an exceptional amount of money compared to that, However, whenever hazing involves assaulting the victim, then it goes to another level. 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. We got the ball first on kick off and we made a touchdown on the first few drives.On. Pertzborn and assistant coach Brad Rogeberg were made aware of the initial bullying on July 24, 2022, according to the police report. Three varsity players are charged by Pennsylvania authorities with sodomizing three junior varsity players with broomsticks, pine cones and golf balls. Relatives read from the books of Matthew and Wisdom.And then the linemanwhom classmates call abully, who would shove kids hed never even metinto lockers as they walked bystands suddenly,stepping out from his place in the front, and walksback eight rows to give a bear hug to his littlebrother, seated next to his mother (who was divorcedfrom the father). Bellmore Journal; Life Goes On but Is Altered After School Scandal, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/20/nyregion/bellmore-journal-life-goes-on-but-is-altered-after-school-scandal.html. But these parents say the risk to their children was greater. "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? That, thelineman says, is the kind of man his father was. When a. Statistically showing, at least 100,000 college football players get hurt yearly. They bashed him in his head, over his back, his legs, his arms," recalls Patty, who says her son was assaulted at least 3-4 times a day. But are they really fortunate? High school coaches should not be required to give equal playing time to all players who make the team. The district's superintendent, Dr. Thomas Caramore, defended the decision in a letter to the community earlier this month, saying the principal spoke with the boy and the coach before camp, and there was no way of anticipating the attacks. Criminal coercion. The coaches, who supervised the trip, say that they had no idea any of this was happening during the camp. The coach told Bergerhe needed a physical. Into the locker! According to the report, ''a lack of accountability appears to permeate the entire structure of the administration and running of this camp program.'' What's more, the 16-year-old ringleader of the assaults had his own history of disciplinary problems. NEW 'REAGAN' DEBATE - GOP RIPS SHOWTIME FOR TAKING SERIES Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, I'm a professional cleaner ditch these 4 household products immediately, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Prince Harry says psychedelics are fundamental part of his life, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss planned to tell Ariana Madix about affair. "I don't want everything he's gone through to be just a waste. On 10/29, the Mepham varsity football team won their away conference game against Sewanhaka (Floral Park, NY) by a score of 27-12. "The bottom line is, if we did anything wrong, we wouldn't be sitting here talking to you," says Cannestro. The team did it along with some guidance from my assistant coach and the parents. Moreover, they must spend money on equipment, clothing, and food (37). "We're not suggesting anything about injuries. A player tried to flush his head in a urinal. Ultimately, its gonnabe a civil case. Abner Louima sued the New YorkPolice Department for $155 million, eventuallysettling for $8.75 million. Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. Long Beach 2022 on Nov 4, 2022. A captain is anextension of the coaching staff, he says,slipping into present tense to talk about his team.What the coaches dont control, thecaptains control.

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