"What constitutes a scream?" Jonathan Anderson gets one of the first qualities of great fashion that it has to feel a bit strange. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, Chamber, mayors office are no match for the Thunderbolts. Most students, the girls say, have not gotten caught up in the anger and recrimination that have divided their parents. Three varsity players are charged by Pennsylvania authorities with sodomizing three junior varsity players with broomsticks, pine cones and golf balls. The way they walked? '', 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. He said no," recalls Carol. Was there anything that indicated they were injured or traumatized? That was until Berger started practicethe August before his freshman year. Theyre investigating the possibility that some students were planning to attack their schoolmates. Were happy as can be, said Carol, an aunt of one of the victims. According to the nine-page report, the culture of hazing and a lack of supervision and safeguards to protect students led to the sexual assaults that occurred in August while Mepham's varsity and junior varsity teams prepared for the season at a camp in Wayne County, Pa. Anyplayer that wants to be on the football team can be onthe team. display: none; In 1994, Wesley Bergerwas a Mepham freshman, a football player with a shelfof trophiesMVP for the peewee league,fastest-runner and best-tackler awards. In practice, theyd put meon the B squad and Id tear up the Asquad. He says he stayed on the team for twoyears but was allowed on the field only once,returning a kickoff 50 yards. We got all new things to bring to pack. Carol said it appeared Conway had sentenced Sofia to the boot camp because he disliked the teens attitude. 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. 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 . "Something happened in between those practices every single time, to my son. 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.'" For many years, people have been debating about whether sports teams for kids should have selective tryouts. Ken Carney, 16, the ringleader of the attacks, was well-known by school administrators as a disciplinary problem. Parents demanded:Shouldnt they have been there to stop theseboys? 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. I think they hated me because I introduced the pull-up to their strength and conditioning program. Moreover, they must spend money on equipment, clothing, and food (37). That kid wassick! says a player named Rob. Of course this thing escalated tosodomy, Berger says. 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. We've received your submission. 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. 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. But it really happened., McElroys lawyer vehemently denies almost everyaspect of Bergers story. What about, say, having your head flushed in a toilet? Long Beach. 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. Berger sayshe got up and called his dad, who went straight to thecoaches. The Nassau Conference II showdown between these two unbeatens has . Nassau County Girl Scouts fundraise for victims of quake in Syria, Turkey at Masjid Hamza, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. At last nights meeting, one player called the coaches caring role models, and team captain Dan Cosenza hugged McElroy. This story has been shared 140,209 times. He used to play in the minor leagues and the team loved him because of his dedication to their lives and his credibility at baseball. Mepham High School football hazing case tore Long Island apart in 2003. He's back home on Long Island. We love our community. } Treat others with the respect that you wouldlike to receive. Act appropriately. The owner of the store posted a sign in his window earlier this month: ''We are Bellmore. The school's 2003 football season was canceled amid allegations that three varsity football players sexually assaulted three . This has allowed more and more players to look to PEDs in order to gain an edge over their opponents. He called the school boards decision 100 percent unjust.. "These boys were like 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 4 inches, and roughly 250 lbs. Keep yourmouth shut, the letters read, andnothing will happen to you or your family.. We wanted them to be tried as adults, but we lost that battle. That washazing! You may notstart, but youll be on the team.. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, Chamber, mayors office are no match for the Thunderbolts. Mepham High School Football Coach Anthony Cracco's Sex Scandal Has Bellmore . Mineral ice and especially that he now had, from the first time, a cut," says Carol. Mary is athird-generation Bellmoron. Her boy,Kyle, played varsity. The grand jury says the five coaches who supervised the team were ''more concerned with being coaches of a football team than interested in the well-being of the players as students.'' One student lifts up another and dumps him, legs flailing, in a bush. A football captain begged for the season to be reinstated, and his pleas were met with thunderous applause. "He was laying in bed with a big butcher knife in his hand 'cause he was scared. But the happy boys these parents sent to camp last summer didn't return that way. Those individuals who just made the team now deal with a problem that happens mainly from the. Which mayexplain why Coach Mac, in his only public statement,has concurred with Caramore. Rick Scott Is Unfortunately Right About Novak Djokovic. Mary explodes. False imprisonment. And people who might have had the chance to prevent this incident are not being held accountable.''. Webuilt a very good tradition with our team, and we justwant to make sure that anyone who wants to fit in onthe team knows about the tradition.. It's, like, they're monsters," says Patty. The crime scene evidence that convicted Alex Murdaugh The group, which calls itself Mepham Parents 4 Change, consists of eight families, but says it is quickly gathering support. 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. His broad shoulders are slumpedand trembling as he walks the coffin down the aisle ofSaint Barnabas Church in Bellmore, Long Island. A minivan with two others whizzes by, music blaring. Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. Long Beach 2022 on Oct 15, 2022, Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. Sewanhaka 2022 on Oct 29, 2022. "He was screaming. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. #inline-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { The sexual assaults that occurred last summer among members of a Long Island high school football team sprang from old traditions of violent hazing that coaches and school officials could not curb, according to a report handed up yesterday by a Pennsylvania grand jury. Hes dangerous, hes terrifying, hes an extra in, How to Watch the 2023 Oscars Celebrate All 23 Categories Live Again. What LAppartement 4F Co-owner Ashley Coiffard Put on Her Wedding Registry. Reichstein triedto stare the lineman down. He had his little list. Where does it end?". Instead, they were treated as juveniles. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Coaches, the report says, were oblivious to what was occurring. Now when they talk about Mepham, they use the wordssodomy and hazing. "I don't want everything he's gone through to be just a waste. 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. 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. 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. He said, 'Well, your son was just online and saying he can't take it anymore. In my opinion, a good education is so very important for our countrys youth, especially the athletes. I told him what hazing was, he says.I did not explain to him that hazing wasgolf balls, broomsticks, and pinecones.Reichsteins son was unharmed; three otherfreshmen werent so lucky. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports. 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. The answer to all those questions is no.". Should they also get paid the same amount even if another co-worker is better at their job? I think hes adirtbag. The victims didn't tell us. "He's victimized because I asked him to do a favor in this. 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. MaxPreps is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 2022 Fall Boys Football New York: Long Island Division II. Decent football player, though.. The two boys join their sister tobring the Communion offerings forward as the mournerssing Be Not Afraid.. My sons not. When I was in ninth grade, says Lohman,my father died and my mother wanted to move toFlorida. At least one group of parents has decided they will continue to speak out. We love kids. He was 40 years old. ", Patty says her son also hasn't recovered from the ordeal: "About a month ago, I had gotten a call from a neighbor. Instead, thevictims were laughed at in the halls, calledfaggot and broomstick boy.The superintendent, Thomas Caramore, shielded theschool from inquiries at first. There were no screams like that.". 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? At first, shock and disbelief prevailed. "They couldn't be further from the truth," says Cannestro. Privacy Policy and Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. We've received your submission. "We're not suggesting anything about injuries. But one kid whogot it in the shitter, hes just like afag., Yeah, he says. 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. Mepham High School Football Tragedy 1056 Words | 5 Pages. School administrators, however, let him get on the bus anyway. This guysstill the head coach., Its a fact of lifein Bellmore and Merrick that the farther south you go,the more money youll find. 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. "He missed the whole first, basically, semester. Bellmore Journal; Life Goes On but Is Altered After School Scandal. No," says McElroy. When athletes experience head trauma, they only recover a little, which might end their career early or other times people never recover. I said, 'What's the matter?' Expect to be held accountablefor your choices and actions. Be truthful.From The Mepham Way, Mepham HighSchools honor code, 48 MINUTES OF HELL, A LIFETIME TO REMEMBERSlogan on a Mepham Pirates football T-shirt. 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. ''People just want to move on,'' said one teenager, sucking on his cigarette. When the allegations surfaced in early September, the three accused teenagers were suspended from Mepham High School's football team. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. display: block; 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. In that case, new players at. I should just sit there and go, 'Hmm, he's hazing him.' "You didn't monitor him very carefully, obviously," says Patty of what happened to her 13-year-old son. Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. South Side 2022 on Oct 22, 2022. He gave his son a cellphone. } Weve been 0 and 8 since 1999!says James. 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 the second day, the incidents became brutal. This was the 94th meeting between the two schools . 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. On October 6, heannounced that that was his intention. 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. Those kids are running at full speed. But are they really fortunate? 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. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. Hasnt hebeen through enough? You could just seehe had so much anger in him. ''Our parents are being blamed. When the victims came forward, the team closed ranks.Kids who were said to have witnessed the attacksrefused to talk, even though the longtime coach of thePirates, Kevin McElroyCoach Mac to anyone whoknows himwarned them that the season would endif they didnt come forward. The coach wentalong with canceling the season because he knew kidswere not coming forward. But the grand jury did not find the coaches criminally negligent. All rights reserved. There are the ugly jokes, the signs and buttons declaring neighborhood solidarity, and for some people, new-found activism. We said, 'Are they hurting you?' In the meantime, experts say violent hazings in high schools are becoming more frequent. They reallycouldnt do anything about it. Still, they will be held accountable for what they did on some level, she added. 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. Now the Reichsteins have written the stateDepartment of Education, demanding an investigation. Legendary football coach Joe Paterno was one of those who was fired, which shook up the coaching staff. He even threatened teachers. 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. 28 - 13 W. 10/22/2022. The 15-year-old wide receiver became the first female football player in Long Island history to score a touchdown Saturday night, when. '', ''This is a wake-up call,'' said the father of one of the victims, who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect his son. 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. Who? They had hoped that the three assailants (Phil Sofia, Ken Carney, and Tom Diasparra) would be tried as adults for the crimes. Children have strived for years to make their parents, teachers and coaches proud of them. The coaches also showed 48 Hours a tape never before made public - one they say was recorded on the last day of camp. 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. No. 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. Mepham was known mainlyfor its wrestling program until Coach Mac arrived in1986. Diasparra cut a deal and received probation. Tryouts are the worst thing about sports, they bring nothing but more stress to your plate. Signup for our newsletter to get notified about our next ride. He was riding the bus along with varsity members, who held him upside down. "There's nothing anyone else could have done differently," adds Cannestro. (Smith/AP) Last week's criminal charges involving six New Mexico high school football players alleged to have sexually . "He was waiting for them [the coaches] to come in and save him, but no one came," says Carol's husband, Vinny. High school coaches should not be required to give equal playing time to all players who make the team. He never judged us, saysDave Lohman, class of 94. Thats when Berger says Coach Mac lunged athimhis hand reaching the boys throat. 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. It's the biggest week of the year for high school wrestling fans. After the coacheswent to sleep in their own cabin, at least threemembers of the team, ages 15, 16, and 17, allegedlyrubbed heat-producing mineral ice on broomsticks,pinecones, and golf balls and used those items topenetrate at least three freshman players while therest of the boys in the cabin all bore witness. He was dyingto play for the Pirateshed gotten AmosZereoues autograph when Zereoue visited hisjunior high. He strokes his sisters hair withone hand and slides an arm around his brothersshoulders. After all, theywerent just studentsthey wereathletes.. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { In an earlier proceeding, the three attackers, charged as juveniles, admitted to the assaults. Students moved from one cabin to another without the coaches' knowing, the report says. We dont beat guysup., Some of his old teammates have gathered to buy drinksfrom him. I think the kids covered it up to saveCoach Mac and save their season., Tending bar at Docs is Rob McDermott, class of95. How could we have known?". He was benched for two years as the lawsuit creptthrough the legal system. A failure can be a downward spiral or a setback turning into a benefit. Did I do anything to those kids?" On 10/29, the Mepham varsity football team won their away conference game against Sewanhaka (Floral Park, NY) by a score of 27-12. During the first day of camp, the hazing was minor, such as one player smearing gel and powder into another's hair. Terroristicthreats. ''It's got to end here. "Yeah," says Cannestro. Anotherparent, Jim Rullo, delivers a prepared statement onbehalf of the victims families. Subscriber Exclusive. "He's one of the victims.". One was sent to a boot camp, another to a juvenile treatment facility and the third returned home on probation. Touring the world with friends one mile and pub at a time; They also understand they will need to sacrifice time, energy, and their social life in order to achieve these goals. "We have a clip of the JV football scrimmage," says McElroy, who believes it proves that there was nothing obviously wrong. We care about kids. He quotes oneof the boys as saying, I will never trustanyone again. Days later, the school wentahead with its annual pep rally, in a gesture ofsupport for Coach Mac and the sidelined Pirates. And I can't ever get that back from him," says Patty. "Did I tell the perpetrators to go and do that to those kids? The coaches, however, say that, in attempt to deal with Carney's threats to another member of the team, they put Reichstein's son in the cabin closest to them, and asked an upperclassman to keep an eye on both boys. The coaches are suing to get their jobs back. #inline-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { By the end of three exciting days in Atlantic City, 14 champions will emerge at the NJSIAA/Rothman Orthopaedics State . Students ''don't know who to blame,'' said Allie. Hugged by his team captain and cheered by supporters, Mepham HSs head football coach was fired last night and his four assistants got the boot, too. And he's looking for something in the house to hurt himself.' On 11/4, the Mepham varsity football team won their home playoff game against Elmont Memorial (Elmont, NY) by a score of 14-7. We love our children. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us. Then it became a football school. The third player in the Mepham HS hazing scandal was sentenced to probation after he made a deal with prosecutors and provided information. On September 17, the Bellmore-Merrick Central HighSchool District Board of Education canceledMepham's football season. . *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. MacArthur 2022 on Nov 4, 2022. ", "Did a parent come and complain to us? The team did it along with some guidance from my assistant coach and the parents. But they dont want to appearself-serving, he says. For a select number of fortunate athletes, that dream becomes a reality when they commit to a school and sign their letter of intent. "All of a sudden, you get this child who's been broken. asks McElroy. ''We don't do it in front of them,'' the teenager said, referring to the victims. The lineman was furious. 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. Try as they might to rid themselves of it, students, parents and other residents are finding that the incident is now woven into the fabric of life here. Coach Mac talked to my mom, convinced us tostay. And McElroy neverprevented him from playing on the varsity team. Kids have come to practice Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday to get better, while their academics are suffering. We're going to all the sports stores. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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