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}Customer Service. HOME3-3 AWAY4-0 NEUTRAL0-1. 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. KYMA/CBS 13/KECY is an equal opportunity employer. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. Hire A Woburn Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. He is a good person that cares tremendously for us.. Four days later, they stated, Callanan told them she had addressed the issue, without explaining how. The county district attorney has indicated it will join local police in the investigation. Woburn officials issue statement about investigation involving football team. Hearing In Woburn Football Assault Case Postponed The probable cause hearing initially scheduled for Tuesday will not take place until March, the attorney for the There was little to no supervision in the locker room, he said. One has an additional "indecent assault and battery" charge. But conflicting witness statements prevented Nelson from establishing who groped Coucelos, he stated. 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. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Parents of the boy who allegedly was kicked in 2018 also faulted the school administration. It's really not a bad school. 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. 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. At BC, he was a 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound football center and team cocaptain under coach Jack Bicknell, snapping the ball to quarterback Doug Flutie. Andrews, a 2020 graduate of Endicott College, indicated his football experience was limited to Pop Warner and high school. The Couceles family reported the assault to police in October. No one was against it, Hanley described the player as saying. It hurts him to this day. ", "The boys involved in this disgusting incident should be immediately permanently removed from the team," the mayor said in his statement. A FOOTBALL PLAYER IS TRYING TO PULL OFF CLOTHING FROM ANOTHER YOUNG MAN AND LATER ENDS UP ON TOP OF THE ALLEGED HAZING VICTIM. Today and every day, I urge every member of our community to be kind to one another and do everything in their power to be part of making our community kinder and stronger. 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. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. 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. It was very nasty. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. A parent who asked not to be identified said her son, who graduated in 2021, was bullied on the practice field, in the locker room, and elsewhere in the school by his football teammates. 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. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! When I first saw it, I thought it was just a form of competition, he said. 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. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). "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.". Wilson said he wasnt surprised by news of bullying in Belchers program. 2023 by KYMA / NPG of Yuma-El Centro Broadcasting. 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. His new school joined in seeking the waiver and injunction. Multiple investigations are being undertaken. "The Woburn Police Department and Woburn Public Schools will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all students. The family also asked Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association to take action against Woburn school officials for allegedly violating MIAA rules on hazing, fighting, and sportsmanship, among others. 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 was disgusting. 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. 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. In 1983, Belcher was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 7 students face charges in alleged Woburn HS hazing attack April 14, 2022, 10:11 PM Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. display: none; OVERALL 7-4 0.64 Win %. The two teams were scheduled to play in Haverhill at 10 a.m., the time all high-school games are played on that season-ending day for most teams. 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. 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. He was attacked in his Spanish class. This is an active and ongoing investigation. I wish to be unequivocal in the fact that I join every member of the WPS administration in condemning physical and sexual violence in all forms," Crowley said. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships |, Daily News Updates 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 Lowell staged a miraculous comeback in last year s contest, scoring 34 points in the second half to stun the Hillies, 41-36. 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. The family is asking for accountability from the school. An incident serious enough to put the Haverhill football coaching staff on paid administrative leave, and initiate a probe into the matter by the citys Police Department. One tradition put on hold, while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm. In one well-publicized incident of bullying last year, several members of the Woburn High School football team were eventually arraigned in Lowell Juvenile Court on charges stemming from an assault of a 14-year-old freshman player in the locker room. 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. 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. An alleged hazing incident is under investigation at the high school in Woburn, Massachusetts. 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. He hasnt left his room, he has barely eaten," Couceles said of his son. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. 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 three-year initiative is called Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence. 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 former players and parents. Crowley did not provide details of the 2019 allegation. 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. >> IT IS KIND OF DISTURBING AND NASTY. 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. 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. "It was gross. 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. 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. Following reports of the misconduct, Attorney General Maura Healey convened a conference of policymakers to address the abuses. It goes on to show a fourth teen in underwear squatting into the victims face, while other boys screamed and cheered, according to reports. Black News Hour presented by The Boston Globe. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. Breaking News After months of waiting, the case is expected to be heard in juvenile court next month. Woburn likes to cover things up, said Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father and a lifelong resident. On Sept. 25, 2018, three years to the day juvenile justice system handle the Woburn bullying case? I JUST THINK ITS AWFUL. But that disappointment pales in comparison to the disturbing allegations leveled at members of the Haverhill High School football team. 2 Men Shot; 1 Dies In Early Morning Shooting In Woburn: Police, Woburn Teachers Ratify, Staff Ratify Contracts To Strike, MA Has Another Mega Millions Winner After $31M Ticket Sold In Woburn, Dive In Commonwealth Virtual Information Session, Free Online Mindfulness Session: Taming the Overactive Mind, Author Event with Sociologist Amanda Freeman, Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Woburn Public Library, Woburn Area Pet Adoption: Little, Roland, Hootie & More, Woburn Area Prospective Homeowners: Look Through 3 New Properties For Sale. The remaining coaches reported hearing nothing unusual from their offices near the locker room, despite the loud commotion, which numerous players recorded. "I understand that there have been strong reactions to this situation and appreciate there is a deep desire for as much information as possible regarding the incident and the school districts response," Crowley wrote. Incidents like these have no place in our community, the superintendent added. 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? He said he witnessed Belcher routinely pit players against each other during practice. April 14, 2022, 10:11 p.m. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. We couldn't do it without you. Black News Hour presented by The Boston Globe. It took a big toll on him, very big toll.. 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. It was dirty. Nelson concluded Coucelos was indeed assaulted and groped in the locker room. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in 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 A hazing investigation at Woburn Memorial High School has led to charges against seven high school students. 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. The court is expected to decide in early March whether charges are warranted. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. 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. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved.". He also serves as a substitute teacher in the school. "As these matters concern allegations involving minors, there was and remains much we cannot say publicly about this situation," Crowley said. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The freshman football player is seen pulling up his pants in the video. Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave. I'm Peter Iliopoulos, WCVB News Center five, Okay. 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. 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. BOSTON, Ma. And in Woburn, police are "investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team." With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. All of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. Woburn Memorial Football. 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. 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. 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. 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. ", The teen was joined by his parents Kevin and Jeanny and his lawyer Peter Hahn, who said the school failed Coucelos. "We acknowledge and support the student and family that had the strength to come forward to report this deeply troubling matter," Woburn Superintendent of Schools Matt Crowley told the Globe. I told Belcher hes an adult bully and shouldnt be coaching anybodys kids, the parent said. Sources tell 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. Officials in Woburn said Saturday that authorities are Belcher, as the head coach, is responsible for the programs culture, according to specialists in student-athlete safety. Just no, they're kids temperament, that stuff. 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. One football player was accused of indecent assault for allegedly yanking down Johnathans pants and touching his genitals in the locker room episode. Belcher started his high school coaching career as an assistant at Bishop Fenwick in 2001. 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. WOBURN SENIOR FOOTBALL CAPTAINS (l-r) Derek Dabrieo, Jake Daniell, Derek Baccari, Anthony Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi. Johnathan Coucelos, with his family: from left, mother, Jeanny, brother Jaxon, Johnathan, sister, Karmen, brother Jacob, and father, Kevin. How will the Mass. Unlike Callanan, who told Hanley she feels terrible for Johnathan, Belcher expressed less empathy, saying he was aware of Coucelos before the attack in a negative way, as a pain in the neck or wise-guy.. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. But that disappointment pales in comparison to the day juvenile justice system the. A lifelong resident Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation and emotional harm,! The Haverhill high football schedule was the Thanksgiving rivalry game against Lowell high school sports team barely,. 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woburn football hazing
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