I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. 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. The student said he felt ill and experienced a lingering headache, but he did not seek treatment from the team athletic trainer for fear of being further characterized as weak. Couceles said his wife decided to pull their son out of the Woburn school for his safety in December. #ada-button-frame { The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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 The statement issued by Police Chief Robert Rufo, Mayor Scott Galvin and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Crowley did not state the nature of the complaint or the specific team, but WCVB reports that officials are investigating whether a teenage member of the football program was hazed and sexually assaulted. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. Police seek charges against seven students after Woburn locker room incident, After Woburn football player endures multiple alleged assaults, parents left outraged by official response. "On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Woburn Police Department received a complaint involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the school year. Because the investigation involves minors, both the Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office told NBC10 Boston they cannot provide information about the case. Andrews is gone. 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. "We wish to state, without reservation, that the Woburn Public Schools took this matter seriously as soon as we learned about it and that our response was comprehensive and thorough.". The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office has said they have been notified of the incident by woburn police. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. BOSTON, Ma. Former Woburn High School football player Johnathan Coucelos said he was assaulted and bullied by teammates in the locker room, But former players and parents allege bullying became routine under Belcher, who has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. Unfortunately, Lowells seniors wont be able to experience that joy of victory or agony of defeat. Coaches are, by policy, considered responsible for safeguarding student-athletes against any form of abuse. THIS IS VIDEO OF THE ALLEGED HAZING INCIDENT IN THE FOOTBALL LOCKROOM. Woburn Memorial Football. It gets me emotional every time I have to talk about this.". "The Woburn Police Department and Woburn Public Schools will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all students. Johnathan Coucelos, with his family: from left, mother, Jeanny, brother Jaxon, Johnathan, sister, Karmen, brother Jacob, and father, Kevin. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. 2 Player of Year, Two men arrested on firearms, drug trafficking charges in Tewksbury, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds. I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are. In Peabody, members of the football team were disciplined last week after a video showed players unsupervised in a locker room last month using a racial slur and mimicking sexual acts. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Officials said in Saturday's statement that the incident involved a sports team and an alleged incident that occurred "earlier in the school year.". All of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. Kevin Couceles says cellphone video shared on social media shows his then 14-year-old son being assaulted in the locker room after a football game last September. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. A family in Woburn, Massachusetts, wants Nelson concluded Coucelos was indeed assaulted and groped in the locker room. An inexperienced and ill-trained volunteer assistant football coach failed to inform his supervisors at Woburn Memorial High School after a 14-year-old freshman No one was against it, Hanley described the player as saying. He says there needs to be more accountability. 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. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. The family is asking for accountability from the school. In his letter, Crowley said the incident that occurred this past September involved student athletes and included allegations of physical and sexual abuse of a student by their teammates. (WHDH) - Seven Woburn High School students are facing assault and battery charges after they allegedly attacked a former classmate. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. We hadnt been winning a lot of games and I thought he might turn things around.. What happens when providers turn to medication first? "As school leaders, we acknowledge and have offered support to the student and family that had the strength to come forward to report this deeply troubling matter," the superintendent wrote. Lori Lightfoot becomes the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re-election, Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85, A condition called POTS rose after covid, but patients can't find care, Drones fly deep inside Russia; Putin orders border tightened, Rep. Lauren Boebert Gets Absolutely Schooled By Jamie Raskin Using Trump's Own Words, SoCal storm timeline: More snow, heavier rain expected Wednesday, The Killer New Volvos Will Leave You Breathless, See how your Pennsylvania county ranks on voter friendliness with this interactive scorecard, SpaceX launches second-generation Starlink internet satellites. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved. Haverhill High School students who saw the video said the lewd acts shown on that video happened in the locker room of the school's football stadium, Trinity Stadium. The federal Title IX law protects students against many forms of discrimination and violence, including bullying and hazing. Hire A Woburn Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. ", Watch: Woburn High School accused of ignoring allegations of bullying. Woburn police received a complaint on Oct. 13 regarding an incident earlier in the school year, the joint statement said. James Austin's son is on the football team. It was disgusting. 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. The report said the freshman was then harassed for months both physically and through text messages, leading to him dropping out of school out of fear for his own safety. Hazing in sports has long served as sort of an initiation rite, juvenile for the most part, not demeaning and vicious in nature. The Globe reported on Saturday that the freshman said he was attacked in a locker room and grabbed by the genitals in an incident caught on video following a September game. "I think the parents need to take action, I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are and just know their kids' temperament," Austin shared. 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. "Saturday's statement did not provide details about the nature of the allegation and did not specifically mention the football team. "As these matters concern allegations involving minors, there was and remains much we cannot say publicly about this situation," Crowley said. But conflicting witness statements prevented Nelson from establishing who groped Coucelos, he stated. 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. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, In the most disturbing incident, the parent said, her son was a freshman when four older teammates attacked him in a school hallway after Belcher allegedly encouraged stronger players to toughen up those perceived as weaker. Its shocking that there still have been no repercussions for anyone in the athletic department, said Peter Hahn, the Coucelos familys attorney. It was dirty. "He just wants to be by himself all the time. Moving forward, he said all of the districts coaches will be required to undertake extensive supplemental training. In response, Woburn school superintendent Matt Crowley issued a statement that said, I was informed by the High School administration that there was one allegation of bullying made against Coach Jack Belcher. To my knowledge, there have been no other bullying allegations made to the administration regarding this individual.. 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. REPORTER: THE FOOTBALL STADIUM AND LOCKER ROOM IS 10 MINUTES OFF-CAMPUS. I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. WOBURN, MA The family of a Woburn 14-year-old who said he was threatened, punched and sexually assaulted in a school locker room is criticizing Woburn Public Schools, Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office for lack of action on the incidents, according to a Boston Globe report. Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved., Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said in a statement shared on Facebook Wednesday night that he was alarmed, concerned, and frankly disgusted by the video and that this can never be allowed to occur again., He said the boys involved in the incident should be immediately permanently removed from the team., I fully support the superintendents actions in cancelling the Thanksgiving game, suspending those involved and conducting a full investigation, he said in the statement. "The Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. >> I DONT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH KIDS TODAY. Full statement: "On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Woburn Police Department received a complaint involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the school year. Kevin Couceles says cellphone video shared on social media shows his then 14-year-old son being assaulted in the locker room after a football game last You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. I wasnt there to protect my son," Couceles shared. Belcher told Hanley he had left the building before the incident. Editorial: Put sports hazing out of its misery, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Editorial: Sports betting rollout still ironing out kinks, Editorial: Give localities control over age to vote, Editorial: DNA sleuth tracks down suspects, kin, Seeing orbs in photos? A Woburn family is seeking charges against teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. NEW! It's not good. 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. When I first saw it, I thought it was just a form of competition, he said. What happened to that boy in the locker room was heinous, said Lee Wilson, whose son Logan played for Belcher and graduated in 2020. Its also heinous that Belcher kept those kids on the team.. Now, five years into Belchers coaching career at Woburn, the culture of his program and the school districts supervision of the former Boston College football standout are under scrutiny. I'm Peter Iliopoulos, WCVB News Center five, Okay. display: none; GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. "It was gross. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. racial slurs and engaging in homophobic hazing, Danvers High wrestling program was suspended. Support GBH. 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. In 1983, Belcher was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. 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. This is an active and ongoing investigation. After News Of Anti-Semitism On Duxburys Football Team, Where Does The Town Go From Here? A Woburn school psychologists evaluation states he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, causing him significant symptoms of anxiety and depression, due to the violence he endured. And this has very negatively impacted both Jonathan and his parents, the whole family.. The committee will likely go into an executive session in order to determine the next steps that should be taken in the hazing 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 September 2021. 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. "As your superintendent I promise that the standards we will set for ourselves, our sports programs and how we are to treat one another will be of paramount importance as we continue to move through this process and learn all the facts and circumstances," Crowley wrote. TONIGHT IS THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING HERE AT HAV. This content is imported from Facebook. Callanan is leaving after the school year to become the director of academic achievement at Reading Memorial High School. He told Hanley he took no action after Coucelos reported he was jumped because he saw no visible injuries and no need to pry further.. The 25 new centers are expected to ease the burden on emergency rooms for patients with behavioral health crises. A family in Woburn, Massachusetts, wants to see justice served when it comes to the teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.". Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships |, Daily News Updates And several players who face criminal charges remained on the team through a prestigious Thanksgiving game at Fenway Park and continue participating in offseason workouts. It's really not a bad school. READINGS MATT BLASI (83) reaches to make a catch before Woburns Travis Kanoni (4) can move in. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Globe's most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. 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. But in recent years, perhaps spurred on by the random, gutless behavior enabled by social media, hazings descended into outright physical and psychological abuse, encouraged or ignored in some cases by adults in leadership positions. 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.. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. "Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.". It was disgusting. But that disappointment pales in comparison to the disturbing allegations leveled at members of the Haverhill High School football team. "On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Woburn Police Department received a complaint involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the school year. Whats more, the boy and his parents allege, school authorities failed to correct the abusive nature of Belchers coaching after they reported the incident. Officials in Woburn said Saturday that authorities are The family, meanwhile, is asking a judge to review a Woburn District Court clerk magistrates decision to reject applications for criminal complaints against Callanan and Woburn Detective Edward Fumicello, the school resource officer, for allegedly allowing video surveillance footage of the hallway outside the locker room and coachs offices to be deleted after they viewed the recording, despite an ongoing investigation. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. Coucelos alleged he also was punched by another student on a school bus, but the investigation determined Coucelos himself was the aggressor. The matter has also been referred to the Haverhill Police Department for further investigation, according to the school officials' message. All seven face single counts of assault and battery, while one also is charged with indecent assault and battery for allegedly grabbing Couceloss genitals. Nelson also determined the groping did not meet the narrow definitions of sexual misconduct under the Title IX law. In Danvers, a member of the boys hockey program publicly accused teammates of using racial slurs and engaging in homophobic hazing with a sex toy during the 2019-2020 season. In 13 seasons there, Belcher went 78-63 and was named the Globes coach of the year in 2008, after guiding his team to a 10-2 record and the league title. The Woburn hazing accusations are the latest in a series of troubling charges of inappropriate behavior within high school athletic programs in Greater Boston. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. The investigation found Coucelos also was assaulted in his Spanish classroom by a former football player who accused him of snitching and was punched in a school bathroom by a student who chided him for not defending himself more forcefully during the locker room assault. He should have been fired., The Globe asked Belcher and other school officials to comment. 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. 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. "I urge patience as we are all eager to view the results, myself included.". Woburn, MA Police are pursuing criminal charges against seven students at Woburn Memorial High School after a freshman football player, 14-year-old Johnathan All rights reserved (About Us). Lowell Highs annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Haverhill has been canceled due to an alleged hazing incident involving Haverhill players that was Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave. His parents made that decision to withdraw him from the school because it was no longer safe for him to be there. HOME3-3 AWAY4-0 NEUTRAL0-1. Several media outlets have reported on a video, posted to Boston 25, allegedly showing members of the football team hazing a teenage boy. Belcher, 60, has been familiar to many in the Woburn area since he was a three-sport star at neighboring Stoneham High School in the late 1970s. Saturday's statement did not provide details about the nature of the allegation and did not specifically mention the football team. The county district attorney has indicated it will join local police in the investigation. In a statement shared Wednesday evening, Fiorentini said he received a call from Haverhill Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Marotta, briefing him on a hazing incident at the high school. THE MASSACHUSETTS INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CREATING A PROGRAM WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE TO STOP HAZING AND TO REMIND STUDENTS PLAYING SPORTS IS A PRIVILEGE. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. Police Investigating Woburn High School Team Incident - Woburn, MA - Officials did not specify the team, but WCVB reported Friday that the football team was "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. They stated in their civil complaint that they reported the incident to the principal, Jessica Callanan, soon after it occurred. display: none; 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. Seven Massachusetts students charged in connection with alleged assaults on high school football teammate. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office also said they were notified about the allegations by police and are participating in the investigation. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved.". This week, the Danvers High wrestling program was suspended after an investigation into a fight that allegedly occurred over a racial slur led to the discovery of a team Snapchat group that included racist and biased language. KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Hanley presented his investigative findings to Carl Nelson, a Woburn middle school principal designated as the decision maker for a federally mandated Title IX review of Couceloss sexual misconduct complaint. I JUST THINK ITS AWFUL. Belcher, as the head coach, is responsible for the programs culture, according to specialists in student-athlete safety. Woburn school officials were aware of alleged bullying in the high school football program for several years before 14-year-old freshman Johnathan Coucelos was attacked by a swarm of teammates in the locker room last fall, according to court records and interviews with. >> IT IS KIND OF DISTURBING AND NASTY. The 60-page report includes statements by Chase Andrews, the first-year volunteer assistant who was 23 at the time, and head freshman coach Chris Scichilone that they were not formally trained about hazing before Coucelos was accosted. Belcher, who with Callanan hired Andrews in 2021, remains, as does Duran, who supervises the football coaches and also is considered responsible for player safety. His new school joined in seeking the waiver and injunction. Run by Black journalists at The Boston Globe, Black News Hour, a new radio program, delivers reliable news that connects with our community and expands on deeper issues impacting our city. It's not good for our school. Bob Hohler can be reached at robert.hohler@globe.com. He instills hard work, with strict rules, respect for team members and respect for adults at all times. At the conclusion of the Title IX investigation, a second investigation, in the form of an administrative review and policy analysis will be conducted by a second outside agency, a firm headed by former Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett, Former State Police Colonel Kerry Gilpin and Attorney John Benzan. "The only game left on the 2022 Haverhill High football schedule was the Thanksgiving rivalry game against Lowell High School.The Haverhill School Committee was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment, or retaliation in any form, the school district said in the statement. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in LEAGUE 4-1 2nd Middlesex - Liberty. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? Warren said a formal announcement is forthcoming. On Sept. 25, 2018, three years to the day "I lost half of my friends. FIRST ALERT FORECAST: Calmer wind speeds and warmer temperatures coming soon, FIRST ALERT FORECAST: More winds and warmer temps on the way, Proposition 17: Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.. 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. March 1, 2022 Greater Boston. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! Couceles says a student pulled down his sons pants and groped his genitals. Lowell Highs annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Haverhill has been canceled due to an alleged hazing incident involving Haverhill players that was caught on video. Now there was a heavy police presence here at the game, but no issues here tonight. Thats a perversion of sports culture, which instead of building character, produces cowardly thugs. REPORTER: THE MAYOR SAYS I SUPPORT HIRING AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO -- TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION. ""A freshman getting dragged down on the floor, them pulling down his pants and pulling down the other dude's pants and humping him in the face. Something needs to be said, something to be done. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. Crowley, in a letter to the community this month, said the district has retained an outside law firm to conduct a Title IX investigation of the Coucelos incident, which will be followed by an administrative review and policy analysis by a separate outside agency. The Rockets improved to 2-0 by dominating Woburn, 35-7, last Saturday at Woburn High. The Woburn Police Department received a complaint Wednesday involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.. "We are committed to a thorough, multifaceted fact finding operation, and we pledge to be forthcoming regarding the results of those investigations and to enact their findings and recommendations., "As these investigations remain active and ongoing, we will continue to allow that process to unfold," he added. That they reported the incident our site, we can create a more connected and informed world Saturday statement..., or retaliation in any form of abuse reporter: the MAYOR says SUPPORT. Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a High school football team do... 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