2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. The student who grabbed him in the classroom, he said, was a former Woburn football player. Something needs to be said, something to be done. Asked to cite an inaccuracy, Callanan did not respond. Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta notified parents Wednesday that the school department is looking into misconduct involving some members of the high school football team. Coucelos alleged he also was punched by another student on a school bus, but the investigation determined Coucelos himself was the aggressor. 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. Contests & Promotions. I urge all people involved to cooperate completely with the investigators so that the best and most just outcome can be reached. Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating. 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. 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. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. But the abuse continued, according to their complaint, and in 2019 the parents submitted a 10-page report to Callanan detailing additional bullying their son had endured from Belcher and from his teammates at Belchers alleged direction. "The school official, superintendent, the principal, vice principal, coaches they all should [face] consequences.. 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. "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. James Austin's son is on the football team. 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 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, "Very heartbroken.. ""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. 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. 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. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. "The Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. It was very nasty," said student Felix Molina.The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus.Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave.Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.. On Sept. 25, 2018, three years to the day before the Coucelos incident, a 15-year-old Woburn player was kicked so hard in the head by a teammate that he stumbled, dazed, from the practice field and vomited, he stated in a civil case pending before the state Supreme Judicial Court. It is my understanding that the allegation was made in 2019 and that the High School administration promptly investigated the allegation in accordance with our bullying prevention policy and procedure, and that it was not substantiated. PF343 PA206 STREAK2W. "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. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Hahn said a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Lowell Juvenile Court was moved to March. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. Woburn High made no substantive efforts to curtail the bullying, they stated. It goes on to show a fourth teen in underwear squatting into the victims face, while other boys screamed and cheered, according to reports. Web7 students face charges in alleged Woburn HS hazing attack 2,940 views Apr 14, 2022 Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football It was disgusting. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.". "They haven't given my son or even us any support whatsoever," Kevin Coucelos said. The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus. THE MAYOR GOES ON TO SAY IM CONCERNED THIS HAPPENED, AND CONCERNED BY REPORTS THAT OTHER STUDENTS STOOD BY AND DID NOT INTERVENE. Jessica Callanan, principal of Woburn Memorial High School said in a statement to Greater Boston, "the Coucelos familys complaint is and should be taken seriously. Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave. It took a big toll on him, very big toll.. The remaining coaches reported hearing nothing unusual from their offices near the locker room, despite the loud commotion, which numerous players recorded. Woburn School Superintendent Matthew Crowley issued a statement saying Coucelos was unjustly assaulted by other members of the football team. He wrote that Woburn is committed to providing enhanced training for athletic staff to ensure safe participation in athletics for all of our students., Crowley maintained that Woburns football coaches were aware of the prohibitions against bullying and hazing prior to the school year. I FEEL BAD. >> WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE VIDEO? 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. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. AT LEAST ONE PERSON IS WEARING A HAVERHIL FOOTBALL SHIRT. Belcher, as the head coach, is responsible for the programs culture, according to specialists in student-athlete safety. 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. It's really not a bad school. 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. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? 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. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. Seven Massachusetts students charged in connection with alleged assaults on high school football teammate. The county district attorney has indicated it will join local police in the investigation. He said he witnessed Belcher routinely pit players against each other during practice. Hazing in sports has long served as sort of an initiation rite, juvenile for the most part, not demeaning and vicious in nature. CNN A high school near Pennsylvanias capital has canceled its upcoming football season over reports of hazing by members of the schools football team. Hanley found the team assault was planned, organized, and executed by a substantial number of sophomore players. One player said he punched Coucelos multiple times after the sophomores like 30 kids decided to beat up Johnathan.. Officials in Woburn said Saturday that authorities are investigating a complaint received earlier in the week involving members of a Woburn High School sports team. With Haverhill forfeiting the contest, Lowell will finish the season with a 4-7 record. Haverhill High School is shutting down all football activities, canceling all future practices and forfeiting the Thanksgiving Day game, due to an alleged hazing incident involving some members of the school's team. 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 player, Johnathan Coucelos, reported last fall that he was jumped by teammates in a locker room, according to an independent investigators report obtained by the Globe. One has an additional "indecent assault and battery" charge. After months of waiting, the case is expected to be heard in juvenile court next month. 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. The middlesex county district attorney's office says woburn police notified them about the allegations, and are investigating. 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.. NEW! Peter Hahn, the attorney representing the Couceles family, said five high school students are facing charges for assault and battery for the September incident. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved.". The Woburn case is one of numerous violent incidents in high school sports over the last year that have captured the attention of government officials, civil rights groups, and student safety organizations. They have known for years they have a bully coaching our kids and they havent done anything to stop him, Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father, said. THIS IS VIDEO OF THE ALLEGED HAZING INCIDENT IN THE FOOTBALL LOCKROOM. We're live in Woburn. The Globe's most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. A hazing investigation at Woburn Memorial High School has led to charges against seven high school students. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships |, Daily News Updates OVERALL 7-4 0.64 Win %. "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. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. The Middlesex County District Attorney's office says Woburn police notified them about the allegations and are investigating. 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 hurts him to this day. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. Hes suffering, and were trying to bring him back to normal, but its going to be very hard, said Kevin Coucelos, who with his wife, Jeanny, has four school-aged children.