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. 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. I JUST THINK ITS AWFUL. }Customer Service. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. "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. Andrews, a 2020 graduate of Endicott College, indicated his football experience was limited to Pop Warner and high 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. 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. 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. The county district attorney has indicated it will join local police in the investigation. It's been a turbulent few years for the Woburn football program. REPORTER: THE MAYOR SAYS I SUPPORT HIRING AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO -- TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION. Woburn, MA Police are pursuing criminal charges against seven students at Woburn Memorial High School after a freshman football player, 14-year-old Johnathan 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. The matter has also been referred to the Haverhill Police Department for further investigation, according to the school officials' message. At the conclusion of the Title IX investigation, a second investigation, in the form of an administrative review and policy analysis will be conducted by a second outside agency, a firm headed by former Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett, Former State Police Colonel Kerry Gilpin and Attorney John Benzan. 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. 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. }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. I also told the principal, who didnt stop him.. He says there needs to be more accountability. 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.. Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office has said they have been notified of the incident by woburn police. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team.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.The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office also said they were notified about the allegations by police and are participating in the investigation.Officials said in Saturday's statement that the incident involved a sports team and an alleged incident that occurred "earlier in the school year. 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. Hahn said he provided notice to the city and school district about their intent to sue. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. Multiple investigations are being undertaken. The Woburn High School football team was on the field Friday night against Melrose High School but off the field, an investigation is underway. It's not good. Bob Hohler can be reached at [email protected]. "It was gross. 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. ""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. "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 of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. There is no indication in the report that the investigator, Patrick Hanley, a former state and county prosecutor, asked Belcher, Duran, or Callanan about the purported lack of training. CNN A high school near Pennsylvanias capital has canceled its upcoming football season over reports of hazing by members of the schools football team. NEW! How will the Mass. >> WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE VIDEO? We hadnt been winning a lot of games and I thought he might turn things around.. Breaking News Several media outlets have reported on a video, posted to Boston 25, allegedly showing members of the football team hazing a teenage boy. It was very nasty. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. Bullying and hazing happen when you pit players against each other like he does, Wilson said. Now there was a heavy police presence here at the game, but no issues here tonight. I don't think any town or any school is immune from it. They stated in their civil complaint that they reported the incident to the principal, Jessica Callanan, soon after it occurred. Police Investigating Woburn High School Team Incident - Woburn, MA - Officials did not specify the team, but WCVB reported Friday that the football team was I urge all people involved to cooperate completely with the investigators so that the best and most just outcome can be reached. ", "The boys involved in this disgusting incident should be immediately permanently removed from the team," the mayor said in his statement. We're live in Woburn. 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. The Globe's most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. Head football coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. 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 Woburn police received a complaint on Oct. 13 regarding an incident earlier in the school year, the joint statement said. The student who grabbed him in the classroom, he said, was a former Woburn football player. Join us. The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus. Woburn High made no substantive efforts to curtail the bullying, they stated. Woburn Memorial Football. It gets me emotional every time I have to talk about this.". Bob Hohler can be reached at [email protected]. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. But all these adults need to go.. It was dirty. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. "Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.". ", 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. 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 statement issued by Police Chief Robert Rufo, Mayor Scott Galvin and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Crowley did not state the nature of the complaint or the specific team, but WCVB reports that officials are investigating whether a teenage member of the football program was hazed and sexually assaulted. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Its hard on all of us.. 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. READINGS MATT BLASI (83) reaches to make a catch before Woburns Travis Kanoni (4) can move in. Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating. It doesn't feel the same anymore to be out in public," he said. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, THE TEAM IS FORFEITING THE REST OF THE SEASON. Just no, they're kids temperament, that stuff. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. Listen Live: Classic and Contemporary Celtic, Listen Live: Cape, Coast and Islands NPR Station, A reporter's indulgence no longer a secret The NBA's Damian Lillard made me a fan, Pandemic food assistance that held back hunger comes to an end, The March Drop: Stay on the move with Oscar reels and roller derbies, MIT takes steps to stop foreign espionage, but some faculty say it goes too far, Bostons police oversight office has yet to uphold a single civilian complaint. With Haverhill forfeiting the contest, Lowell will finish the season with a 4-7 record. racial slurs and engaging in homophobic hazing, Danvers High wrestling program was suspended. 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. 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. Nelson concluded Coucelos was indeed assaulted and groped in the locker room. Belcher also serves as a substitute teacher in the school. "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. I wasnt there to protect my son," Couceles shared. WOBURN Not many high school football teams had to start this Fall II spring football season like Woburn by playing the caliber of talent that Melrose and Reading has. Officials in Woburn said Saturday that authorities are GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. 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. Video shows alleged hazing incident that ended Haverhill football team's season, THE UNIVERSITY -- THE VIDEO YOU WILL SEE IS HIGHLY DISTURBING. Black News Hour presented by The Boston Globe. One football player was accused of indecent assault for allegedly yanking down Johnathans pants and touching his genitals in the locker room episode. "I fully support the superintendents actions in cancelling the Thanksgiving game, suspending those involved and conducting a full investigation. 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. Black News Hour presented by The Boston Globe. A Woburn family is seeking charges against teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. The middlesex county district attorney's office says woburn police notified them about the allegations, and are investigating. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in connection to a hazing investigation in Woburn, Massachusetts. "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. Now, police are filing criminal charges against seven students accused of the assault. 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