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. READINGS MATT BLASI (83) reaches to make a catch before Woburns Travis Kanoni (4) can move in. An alleged hazing incident is under investigation at the high school in Woburn, Massachusetts. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in connection to a hazing investigation in Woburn, Massachusetts. Parents of the boy who allegedly was kicked in 2018 also faulted the school administration. He should have been fired., The Globe asked Belcher and other school officials to comment. REPORTER: THEY ARE KICKING OFF THAT PROGRAM DECEMBER 8, EVOLVING -- INVOLVING THE MASS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS AND SOCIETY GROUP. 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. The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus. "I am alarmed, concerned and frankly disgusted by what I have been told and by the video that I was shown," Fiorentini said in a statement Wednesday night. It was disgusting. 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. "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. The county district attorney has indicated it will join local police in the investigation. Support GBH. The federal Title IX law protects students against many forms of discrimination and violence, including bullying and hazing. I told Belcher hes an adult bully and shouldnt be coaching anybodys kids, the parent said. Woburn, MA Police are pursuing criminal charges against seven students at Woburn Memorial High School after a freshman football player, 14-year-old Johnathan "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. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. Woburn Memorial Football. Former Woburn High School football player Johnathan Coucelos said he was assaulted and bullied by teammates in the locker room, 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. Hazing Charges Hit Woburn High Football Program The family of a freshman player said the 14-year-old was threatened, punched and sexually assaulted in CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. He was called a snitch. "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.". It's a sad situation and hopefully they figure out what happened and it doesn't happen again. OVERALL 7-4 0.64 Win %. In 1983, Belcher was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. 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. All seven face single counts of assault and battery, while one also is charged with indecent assault and battery for allegedly grabbing Couceloss genitals. 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. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. WE HAVE BLURRED THE LEWD AND VIOLENT SCENEAT LEAST ONE PERSON -- SCENE. 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). After months of waiting, the case is expected to be heard in juvenile court next month. "They haven't given my son or even us any support whatsoever," Kevin Coucelos said. 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. "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. The Middlesex County District Attorney's office says Woburn police notified them about the allegations and are investigating. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. It's not good. 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. Officials in Woburn said Saturday that authorities are The Woburn Police Department and Woburn Public Schools will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all students, the statement said. 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. Its hard to watch but Kevin Couceles says cellphone video shared on social media shows his son being assaulted in the locker room of Woburn Memorial High School after a football game last September. I think the parents need to take action. Breaking News "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. THE MAYOR GOES ON TO SAY IM CONCERNED THIS HAPPENED, AND CONCERNED BY REPORTS THAT OTHER STUDENTS STOOD BY AND DID NOT INTERVENE. "Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.". 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. PF343 PA206 STREAK2W. All rights reserved (About Us). 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.. His new school joined in seeking the waiver and injunction. 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. Multiple criminal complaints have been filed against several New Jersey high school students following two probes into allegations of rampant abuse and hazing. "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. A hazing investigation at Woburn Memorial High School has led to charges against seven high school students. It was very nasty. 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. mm 34 32 Ruben high school football team on the gridiron in a friday night matchup against Melrose. "The Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. (WHDH) - Seven Woburn High School students are facing assault and battery charges after they allegedly attacked a former classmate. 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. 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. It was very nasty. "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. 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. "It was gross. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. 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. THIS IS VIDEO OF THE ALLEGED HAZING INCIDENT IN THE FOOTBALL LOCKROOM. BOSTON, Ma. Hazing in sports has long served as sort of an initiation rite, juvenile for the most part, not demeaning and vicious in nature. I also told the principal, who didnt stop him.. No one ever came in and checked when things got loud or out of hand.. The Globe's most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. 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. Whats more, the boy and his parents allege, school authorities failed to correct the abusive nature of Belchers coaching after they reported the incident. "Saturday's statement did not provide details about the nature of the allegation and did not specifically mention the football team. He hasnt left his room, he has barely eaten," Couceles said of his son. 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. Four days later, they stated, Callanan told them she had addressed the issue, without explaining how. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. I want to cry every time I see that. But conflicting witness statements prevented Nelson from establishing who groped Coucelos, he stated. "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. No one was against it, Hanley described the player as saying. Crowley said in his most recent statement to the Globe that the school district also will make certain that the investigators are aware of this past, unsubstantiated allegation regarding Coach Belcher to ensure that they are provided with any and all context necessary for a full and fair investigation.. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. The Rockets improved to 2-0 by dominating Woburn, 35-7, last Saturday at Woburn High. The player alleges Woburn head coach Jack Belcher instigated the kick by encouraging older teammates to in Belchers words toughen up younger ones. "I share in the collective shock and outrage regarding this incident.". Its hard on all of us.. >> IT IS KIND OF DISTURBING AND NASTY. That week, the Woburn Police Department and Middlesex District Attorney announced they were investigating the incident. Couceles says a student pulled down his sons pants and groped his genitals. 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 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. 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. The MIAA rejected the request, saying it does not investigate internal complaints involving member schools. "The matter has also been referred to the Haverhill Police Department for further investigation, according to the school officials' message. "Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment or retaliation in any form," the message reads. Video shows alleged hazing incident that ended Haverhill football team's season, THE UNIVERSITY -- THE VIDEO YOU WILL SEE IS HIGHLY DISTURBING. We're live in Woburn. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office also said they were notified about the allegations by police and are participating in the investigation. I'm Peter Iliopoulos, WCVB News Center five, Okay. Asked to cite an inaccuracy, Callanan did not respond. All of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. PARENTS ARE NOW REVISITING BASIC RIGHTS AND WRONGSAT HOME. 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. The Globe does not identify victims of alleged sexual assaults unless they give their consent. 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? "Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment or retaliation in any form," the message reads. 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 Lowell staged a miraculous comeback in last year s contest, scoring 34 points in the second half to stun the Hillies, 41-36. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office has said they have been notified of the incident by woburn police. Woburn High made no substantive efforts to curtail the bullying, they stated. 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. 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. The matter has also been referred to the Haverhill Police Department for further investigation, according to the school officials' message. Andrews is gone. The video appears to show three boys one of them wearing a Haverhill football shirt dragging another teen across the floor of a locker room. 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. Contests & Promotions. He was attacked in the bathroom. Woburn police received a complaint on Oct. 13 regarding an incident earlier in the school year, the joint statement said. There was little to no supervision in the locker room, he said. KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Nelson concluded Coucelos was indeed assaulted and groped in the locker room. REPORTER: THE MAYOR SAYS I SUPPORT HIRING AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO -- TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION. Coucelos alleged he also was punched by another student on a school bus, but the investigation determined Coucelos himself was the aggressor. 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.. WOBURN SENIOR FOOTBALL CAPTAINS (l-r) Derek Dabrieo, Jake Daniell, Derek Baccari, Anthony Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi. The superintendent said in his letter Tuesday that Woburn Public Schools has retained outside private counsel -- the law firm of Butters Brazilian LLP and Attorney Patrick Hanley -- to conduct a comprehensive Title IX investigation, which remains ongoing. I JUST THINK ITS AWFUL. 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. Now, police are filing criminal charges against seven students accused of the assault. Ten football captains six seniors and four juniors circulated a letter to news outlets, saying they were not trying to minimize any allegations that are being investigated by the proper people., In fact, we all condemn bullying of any kind, the captains wrote. Severe Weather Alerts ", Watch: Woburn High School accused of ignoring allegations of bullying. 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. The committee will likely go into an executive session in order to determine the next steps that should be taken in the hazing investigation. display: none; 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 Couceles family reported the assault to police in October. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. The student who grabbed him in the classroom, he said, was a former Woburn football player. 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. 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. He left his job as a paraprofessional at the Woburn school in April. What happens when providers turn to medication first? The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. 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. 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 Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. 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. 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. Even us any support whatsoever, '' Couceles said of his son `` the matter has been. An executive session in order to determine the next steps that should be taken in the investigation Rockets improved 2-0... Alleged hazing incident in the school officials ' message against it, Hanley described the player alleges head! 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