It's not good for our school. 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. To my knowledge, there have been no other bullying allegations made to the administration regarding this individual.. HOME3-3 AWAY4-0 NEUTRAL0-1. 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. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. One has an additional "indecent assault and battery" charge. "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. Two more students face charges for subsequent harassment in the weeks after the assault in the locker room. Two players were suspended from school for two weeks over the incident, but while one quit the team, the other continued playing football during his suspension, the family said. 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. This content is imported from Facebook. Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.. I think the parents need to take action. 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. We couldn't do it without you. Coucelos, who is 14, told Jim Braude on Greater Boston Monday that his life has changed drastically since the attack, and the harassment has not stopped. 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 Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships |, Daily News Updates "This is an active and ongoing investigation. I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are. 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. But, the former student said, he soon became disturbed by Belchers coaching methods, which he described as abusive. 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.. He was harassed by a number of different students, said Hahn. juvenile justice system handle the Woburn bullying case? After News Of Anti-Semitism On Duxburys Football Team, Where Does The Town Go From Here? THE FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF IS ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE. 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. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! LEAGUE 4-1 2nd Middlesex - Liberty. The student who grabbed him in the classroom, he said, was a former Woburn football player. Danvers school committee faces harsh questions after report calls response to high school hazing into question, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. Something needs to be said, something to be done. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. Hahn said a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Lowell Juvenile Court was moved to March. 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. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. 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. It's not good for our school. >> WANT TO GET STUDENTS -- STUDENT ATHLETES AND ADULT LEADERS IN A ROOM AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW TO BEAT HUMAN BEINGS. Belcher told Hanley he had left the building before the incident. THE MAYOR GOES ON TO SAY IM CONCERNED THIS HAPPENED, AND CONCERNED BY REPORTS THAT OTHER STUDENTS STOOD BY AND DID NOT INTERVENE. >> IT IS KIND OF DISTURBING AND NASTY. Warren said a formal announcement is forthcoming. 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. With Haverhill forfeiting the contest, Lowell will finish the season with a 4-7 record. He was attacked in his Spanish class. The Coucelos family accused school officials of putting the football teams interests ahead of student safety with their disciplinary measures. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Support GBH. I wasnt there to protect my son," Couceles shared. Bullying and hazing happen when you pit players against each other like he does, Wilson said. 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. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. PF343 PA206 STREAK2W. James Austin's son is on the football team. I FEEL BAD. The only game left on the 2022 Haverhill High football schedule was the Thanksgiving rivalry game against Lowell High School. 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. 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 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. "Very heartbroken.. Unfortunately, Lowells seniors wont be able to experience that joy of victory or agony of defeat. "As these matters concern allegations involving minors, there was and remains much we cannot say publicly about this situation," Crowley said. "The school official, superintendent, the principal, vice principal, coaches they all should [face] consequences.. Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating. Belcher started his high school coaching career as an assistant at Bishop Fenwick in 2001. 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 Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. 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. This is an active and ongoing investigation. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. Asked to cite an inaccuracy, Callanan did not respond. How will the Mass. Hire A Woburn Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. The 25 new centers are expected to ease the burden on emergency rooms for patients with behavioral health crises. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. 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. I urge all people involved to cooperate completely with the investigators so that the best and most just outcome can be reached. Breaking News The Woburn hazing accusations are the latest in a series of troubling charges of inappropriate behavior within high school athletic programs in Greater Boston. It's really not a bad school.". 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. The player alleges Woburn head coach Jack Belcher instigated the kick by encouraging older teammates to in Belchers words toughen up younger ones. While school officials told the Globe their response was "comprehensive and thorough" and the DA's Office said there is an ongoing investigation, the family said it is outraged at what they say was relatively light school discipline against the football players involved in the assault and the lack of any criminal charges at those they say are responsible for the assault and ensuing harassment. 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. On Sept. 25, 2018, three years to the day Head football coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. 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.. 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. Many Woburn residents have expressed anger that Belcher permitted three of the alleged assailants, including the player facing a possible indecent assault charge, to remain on the football team through a prestigious Thanksgiving week game at Fenway Park. He said one punched him several times in a school bathroom, and the other entered his Spanish classroom, grabbed him by the shirt, and warned him not to snitch. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? He says there needs to be more accountability. The Haverhill School Committee was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. display: none; I told Belcher hes an adult bully and shouldnt be coaching anybodys kids, the parent said. THE STUDENTS INVOLVED HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. That week, the Woburn Police Department and Middlesex District Attorney announced they were investigating the incident. Nelson also determined the groping did not meet the narrow definitions of sexual misconduct under the Title IX law. Seven Massachusetts students charged in connection with alleged assaults on high school football teammate. The court is expected to decide in early March whether charges are warranted. It was dirty. 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. 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.. Join us. Student leaders of the Woburn team took a stand in recent days supporting Belcher. ", "The boys involved in this disgusting incident should be immediately permanently removed from the team," the mayor said in his statement. 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. They explicitly and repeatedly informed the players of those prohibitions both prior to and subsequent to the [attack]., Crowleys assertion appears contrary to head freshman coach Chris Scichilones statement in the investigative report that training related to hazing or Title IX only occurred after the incident and Andrewss statement that he did not receive any formal training with respect to hazing until after the incident.. They stated in their civil complaint that they reported the incident to the principal, Jessica Callanan, soon after it occurred. 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. It's really not a bad school. Hazing in sports has long served as sort of an initiation rite, juvenile for the most part, not demeaning and vicious in nature. "They haven't given my son or even us any support whatsoever," Kevin Coucelos said. 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. The family is asking for accountability from the school. 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. Video shows alleged hazing incident that ended Haverhill football team's season, THE UNIVERSITY -- THE VIDEO YOU WILL SEE IS HIGHLY DISTURBING. "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. All rights reserved (About Us). Seven Woburn students charged in alleged locker room assaults on former football player, Read the original report: After Woburn football player endures multiple alleged assaults, parents left outraged by official response. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.". Multiple investigations are being undertaken. His complaint says Belcher witnessed the incident but reprimanded neither the assailant nor numerous players who taunted the alleged victim with vulgarities, insinuating he was soft.. Whats more, the boy and his parents allege, school authorities failed to correct the abusive nature of Belchers coaching after they reported the incident. "Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe. It's a shame. While arraignments have begun in Lowell Juvenile Court for seven Woburn students, including five football players, charged with assaulting Coucelos, his parents say the report underscores that Woburn school officials head football coach Jack Belcher, athletic director Jim Duran, and principal Jessica Callanan, among them failed to adequately protect their son. The Globe does not identify victims of alleged sexual assaults unless they give their consent. I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. An alleged hazing incident is under investigation at the high school in Woburn, Massachusetts. Wilson said he wasnt surprised by news of bullying in Belchers program. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. He played two seasons for the Breakers after they moved to New Orleans and Portland. Just no, they're kids temperament, that stuff. 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