I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. 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. 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.. 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 teen was joined by his parents Kevin and Jeanny and his lawyer Peter Hahn, who said the school failed Coucelos. 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. Asked to cite an inaccuracy, Callanan did not respond. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time. A Woburn family is seeking charges against teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. 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. I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are. The Woburn hazing accusations are the latest in a series of troubling charges of inappropriate behavior within high school athletic programs in Greater Boston. 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. Now there was a heavy police presence here at the game, but no issues here tonight. #ada-button-frame { Attempts to reach Belcher, Duran, and Andrews were unsuccessful. "I lost half of my friends. It took a big toll on him, very big toll.. OVERALL 7-4 0.64 Win %. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. Incidents like these have no place in our community, the superintendent added. The court is expected to decide in early March whether charges are warranted. Police Investigating Woburn High School Team Incident - Woburn, MA - Officials did not specify the team, but WCVB reported Friday that the football team was GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. Its shocking that there still have been no repercussions for anyone in the athletic department, said Peter Hahn, the Coucelos familys attorney. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. 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. But former players and parents allege bullying became routine under Belcher, who has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. 2 Player of the Year, High school roundup: Vinny D'Urso, Lowell Catholic blank Haverhill, 1-0, MVC boys basketball: Tewksbury's Ryan Cuvier named Div. Hahn said he provided notice to the city and school district about their intent to sue. His parents made that decision to withdraw him from the school because it was no longer safe for him to be there. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment, or retaliation in any form, the school district said in the statement. 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. 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. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in PF343 PA206 STREAK2W. (WHDH) - Seven Woburn High School students are facing assault and battery charges after they allegedly attacked a former classmate. It goes on to show a fourth teen in underwear squatting into the victims face, while other boys screamed and cheered, according to reports. It was dirty. After months of waiting, the case is expected to be heard in juvenile court next month. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office has said they have been notified of the incident by woburn police. It was very nasty," said student Felix Molina. 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. We are strictly responding to how the integrity of the team, the leadership of the athletic department and football program is unfairly under attack in the community., They stated, Head Coach Jack Belcher has always given us nothing short of his undivided attention and passion for his job as our coach and leader. >> WANT TO GET STUDENTS -- STUDENT ATHLETES AND ADULT LEADERS IN A ROOM AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW TO BEAT HUMAN BEINGS. 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. }Customer Service, 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. A Woburn police detective has been assigned to the case. 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 family is asking for accountability from the school. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. Crowley said they have reached out to the Couceles family. NEW! 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. He was called a snitch. No one was against it, Hanley described the player as saying. 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. 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 remaining coaches reported hearing nothing unusual from their offices near the locker room, despite the loud commotion, which numerous players recorded. I think the parents need to take action. The Woburn Police Department received a complaint Wednesday involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the Unfortunately, Lowells seniors wont be able to experience that joy of victory or agony of defeat. "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. Some Woburn residents are upset that alleged assailants were allowed to play at Fenway in the Thanksgiving game against Winchester. Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. Woburn likes to cover things up, said Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father and a lifelong resident. But that disappointment pales in comparison to the disturbing allegations leveled at members of the Haverhill High School football team. The Middlesex County District Attorney's office says Woburn police notified them about the allegations and are investigating. >> WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE VIDEO? "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. The Globe's most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. I wasnt there to protect my son," Couceles shared. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. He was attacked in his Spanish class. }Customer Service. 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. The middlesex county district attorney's office says woburn police notified them about the allegations, and are investigating. AT LEAST ONE PERSON IS WEARING A HAVERHIL FOOTBALL SHIRT. LEAGUE 4-1 2nd Middlesex - Liberty. Multiple investigations are being undertaken. But all these adults need to go.. No one ever came in and checked when things got loud or out of hand.. While charges are pending for some students, Couceles says the coaches and school leadership should be held accountable, too. 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. "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. 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. 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. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, 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. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? James Austin's son is on the football team. Nelson also determined the groping did not meet the narrow definitions of sexual misconduct under the Title IX law. "It's just so wrong how they're handling it. Hahn said a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Lowell Juvenile Court was moved to March. "The school official, superintendent, the principal, vice principal, coaches they all should [face] consequences.. racial slurs and engaging in homophobic hazing, Danvers High wrestling program was suspended. Sources tell 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. I'm Peter Iliopoulos, WCVB News Center five, Okay. It doesn't feel the same anymore to be out in public," he said. 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. "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. 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. It was disgusting. 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. "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. One has an additional "indecent assault and battery" charge. Following reports of the misconduct, Attorney General Maura Healey convened a conference of policymakers to address the abuses. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.". 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. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. "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. 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. The Haverhill School Committee was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. THIS IS VIDEO OF THE ALLEGED HAZING INCIDENT IN THE FOOTBALL LOCKROOM. Its hard on all of us.. Woburn Memorial Football. 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. 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