mepham high school football scandal
He told Pennsylvaniapolice that he couldnt release informationabout a student without a subpoena. The incident angered the victim's mother, who. It's, like, they're monsters," says Patty. Then came the civil suit, settled for apaltry sum, to cover medical bills.Berger got threatening letters: Keep singing,Berger, and youll see.. Werent theyalready on the right track? Thats when Berger says Coach Mac lunged athimhis hand reaching the boys throat. And I can't ever get that back from him," says Patty. Once rated one of the best academic high schools in the nation, Mepham High is now mired in scandal. This wasn't just something that happened when the lights went out.". This password will be used to sign into all, I Inherited Millions From My Mother, and Everyone Knows, Shania Twain Gives Rare Update on Her Ex-Husband and Ex-BFF, Journey Should Probably Go Their Separate Ways, 10 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Glass Jars to Guayabera Shirts. Everyone should be so lucky.''. He suggests that broomsticks,golf balls, and pinecones are consistent withtraditional forms of hazing. 28 - 13 W. 10/22/2022. You may notstart, but youll be on the team.. Meanwhile, Nassau police on Monday found a found a cache of weapons near the school including baseball bats and golf clubs. I believe that exclusive tryouts should be held for children because they are extremely good for their mental health in three ways: tryouts teach kids humility, in that they arent always going to be selected, they help kids learn to work harder, and they boost kids confidence. No one understands this better thanMark Alter, the lawyer for the alleged ringleader.The fact that its egregious allegationsdoes not necessarily mean its not a juvenilecase, says Alter. Know what is expected andacceptable. Be responsible. These parents are now lobbying for a national hazing law, one with severe penalties. They feel a sense of guilt and shame that holds them back from saying anything and we see this is the Mepham High School Football case. (Almost as prevalent is the idea, notconfirmed by police, that the linemans fathercommitted suicide. Does heknow this for sure? October 11, 2014 / 7:28 PM / AP. Where does it end?". Hes been introuble before, that kid. "Not once. The Bellmore-Merrick school boards decision not to rehire the coaches next year has taken a stake and driven it right through the heart of the community again, said head coach Kevin McElroy. Hed just beat upon peoplehed be walking by andboom! Days later, the school wentahead with its annual pep rally, in a gesture ofsupport for Coach Mac and the sidelined Pirates. A failure can be a downward spiral or a setback turning into a benefit. Are you on crack? Some have hired lawyers for their children. I should just sit there and go, 'Hmm, he's hazing him.' "My son came forward, did something that he did not want to do. . It would be the adventure of his life five days of intense football in the woods of Pennsylvania. Most of themare yelling. Moreover, they must spend money on equipment, clothing, and food (37). Most are no longer talking about the issue publicly, tired of the maelstrom of feelings that is stirred each time. 10/08/2022. High schools on Long Island have led a crackdown on rough-housing since the 2003 Mepham High School football training camp hazing scandal rocked the nation. The coach told Bergerhe needed a physical. Those kids are running at full speed. "He's victimized because I asked him to do a favor in this. What's more, the 16-year-old ringleader of the assaults had his own history of disciplinary problems. But they dont want to appearself-serving, he says. Nor did he suspendthe three alleged perpetrators, and as a result, theywere allowed to walk the hallways of Mepham High fornearly two weeks. One afternoon after practice, they air theirtheories, the chief one being that the lineman musthave been traumatized as a kid. Even before three varsity players for the Mepham High School Pirates sodomized three freshman teammates at a football camp, using golf balls, pine cones and a broomstick, other classes of. He said his surgery was a success, but he needs time to heal before he can tour again. } And coming in, you expect it.Youre ready for it., From what I heard, the guys stuck his head inthe toilet, and that was it. And don't you dare tell,'" says Kristina, who lobbied to get Carney thrown off the trip. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google But one kid whogot it in the shitter, hes just like afag., Yeah, he says. What went wrong? All that has led these parents to ask the same kind of questions asked after the shootings at Columbine: How much did the school know about their student assailants, and who should be held responsible? It was supposed to be fun, and glorious. But are they really fortunate? They had complained to the coach and the principal before football camp that their son, a freshman, had been bullied and threatened by one of the boys who was later charged in the attacks. Students should not have to tryout for school sports. "What constitutes a scream?" We love our children. If they have failing grades as well, the colleges are sending their students into the world without a real chance at becoming professional athletes, and without an actual education. Gavin Roman broke the state record for most catches in a season during Holy Spirit's 63-34 rivalry win against Atlantic City in Absecon. In the southern reachesof Long Island, nestled between the bucolic SouthernState Parkway and the fast-food joints and cardealerships on Sunrise Highway, the four small townsof Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick, and NorthMerrick make up a solid community of working- andmiddle-class families. They demanded that the boy be barred from camp but were rebuffed, they said. What we're saying is, I notice when somebody's limping. Reichstein called Didden, whose reply, according toReichstein, was that there was no hazing at Mepham,because if there were, wed cancelfootball season. (Didden and his attorney didnot return repeated calls.) You know, what could be going on? Mepham High School (North Bellmore, NY) Varsity Football Varsity Boys Football North Bellmore, NY FOLLOW TEAM 22-23 V. Football Home Schedule Roster Standings Rankings Photos Videos News More / Mepham High School Football Mepham Football OVERALL 10-2 0.83 Win % LEAGUE 8-1 2nd in League HOME6-0 AWAY3-1 NEUTRAL1-1 PF334 PA169 STREAK1L There were no screams like that.". It is in the best interests of our students and the success of our program that the present coaches not be re-appointed, said Bellmore-Merrick school-board member Norbert Billig. After all, theywerent just studentsthey wereathletes.. Trending News Sofia LaSpina has etched her name in Long Island history. They had hoped that the three assailants (Phil Sofia, Ken Carney, and Tom Diasparra) would be tried as adults for the crimes. In earlier interviews, the head coach, Kevin McElroy, and his four assistants have said they did not know about the attacks, and could have done nothing to prevent them. And his youth. OK. I notice when they're injured. No!! MINEOLA, N.Y. -- Mepham High School football coach Kevin McElroy said Tuesday he was "shocked" by allegations that members of his varsity squad sexually abused younger players and said he. He's back home on Long Island. During his career, the prolific actor inhabited an array of troubled characters. I think hes adirtbag. She says Didden said no twice.Thats when Vic stood up and called Didden aliar. Mepham High School football hazing case tore Long Island apart in 2003. At first, shock and disbelief prevailed. I am 13 years old and I am on the Friendswood junior high C-football team I am a second string slot receiver and starting strong safety and I 'm also a second string strong side linebacker it was our last game of the season,so we really wanted to go out on the win or a record for the season was one way in five losses and one tie,we hadn 't had a great season so we especially wanted to go out on a win. They have criticized the coaches and school district for lax supervision, accusing Mepham officials of ignoring the long disciplinary record of one of the three attackers. West Jersey Football League all-stars: United Division, 2022. The Mepham High School football season was eventually cancelled and the three upperclassman were charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, terroristic threats, criminal coercion, simple assault, reckless endangering of another person, ethnic intimidation, and criminal conspiracy. Judge Robert J. Conway chose to try the accused as juveniles. says Cannestro. A captain is anextension of the coaching staff, he says,slipping into present tense to talk about his team.What the coaches dont control, thecaptains control. Into the locker! The two boys join their sister tobring the Communion offerings forward as the mournerssing Be Not Afraid.. So, no., But, you know, says McDermott, ifthey wanted to do it? On Bellmore Avenue, themain drag in town, a mile or so east of Mepham,Docs Pub serves as an unofficial class-reunionspace. He gave his son a cellphone. Heand a group of kids have me surrounded. The victims didn't tell us. "He [my son] called several times. Nothing.". Try as they might to rid themselves of it, students, parents and other residents are finding that the incident is now woven into the fabric of life here. His dadsaved his friends life that day. But critics say their mistakes started early. Children have strived for years to make their parents, teachers and coaches proud of them. According to the nine-page report, the culture of hazing and a lack of supervision and safeguards to protect students led to the sexual assaults that occurred in August while Mepham's varsity and junior varsity teams prepared for the season at a camp in Wayne County, Pa. Adds Jesse: Mepham kids say,Youre from Kennedy, and punch us.Theyre the bully school, the physical school.Even in middle school, we knew which kids were goingto Mepham and which to Kennedy.. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "There's nothing anyone else could have done differently," adds Cannestro. The 15-year-old wide receiver became the first female football player in Long Island history to score a touchdown Saturday night, when. But its notthe only time I hear neighbors, even parents, floatthis notion. The answer to all those questions is no.". And would you let it happen a second and third time? Also it brings down students self esteem. Kids have come to practice Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday to get better, while their academics are suffering. ", Patty says her son also hasn't recovered from the ordeal: "About a month ago, I had gotten a call from a neighbor. Nassau County Girl Scouts fundraise for victims of quake in Syria, Turkey at Masjid Hamza, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. But even those who are, still have an astonishingly low chance at making the professional leagues. At this point, the victims would have already suffered numerous attacks. "All of a sudden, you get this child who's been broken. They bashed him in his head, over his back, his legs, his arms," recalls Patty, who says her son was assaulted at least 3-4 times a day. "Yeah," says Cannestro. College athletics are oftentimes not as glamorous as one would think. Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death At last nights meeting, one player called the coaches caring role models, and team captain Dan Cosenza hugged McElroy. Ke Huy Quan Continues His Winning Streak at the Independent Spirit Awards. The lineman was furious. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He never judged us, saysDave Lohman, class of 94. "These boys were like 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 4 inches, and roughly 250 lbs. Oh, Loosey! Relatives of the victims, 13 and 14 at the time of the attacks, expressed satisfaction at the outcome. Were happy as can be, said Carol, an aunt of one of the victims. Even before three varsity players for the Mepham High School Pirates sodomized three freshman teammates at a football camp, using golf balls, pine cones and a broomstick, other classes of football players had hazed new members by beating them and dunking their heads into toilets, the report said. The coaches let him go, the report says, ''because he was a good football player. We've received your submission. I cried," says Carol, who asked her friend, Jim Rullo, to make a speech on her behalf. }, First published on April 12, 2004 / 5:10 PM. Athletes must commit time to practice and traveling. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Whether its being in thelocker room, making sure everybodys on the samepage, rallying the troops, or making sureeveryones focused on the task at hand., How do you weed out the undisciplined players?On any high-school team, the seniors give you alittle bit of a hard time, he says. Afew miles awaysouth of Sunrise Highway, down bythe blue water of East BayBMWs and Lexuses fillthe lot at the rival high school, John F. Kennedy.This was Amy Fishers high schoolthe richschool. No," says McElroy. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, Chamber, mayors office are no match for the Thunderbolts. When tryouts begin these individuals hope their skills and abilities will get them recognized by not only the coaches, but the returning players as well. But the victims told their parents they were screaming at the top of their lungs. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The father died on October 5a daybefore news broke that the lineman may be tried as anadult for some 26 felonies stemming from events thattook place over several late nights in August atMephams football-training camp in Wayne County,Pennsylvania. Most high school athletes across America share one common aspiration: play their sport at the next level in college. They reallycouldnt do anything about it. They speak ofbroomsticks, pinecones, and golf balls. #inline-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { Should they also get paid the same amount even if another co-worker is better at their job? Now when they talk about Mepham, they use the wordssodomy and hazing. Four days ago, hisfather died in his sleep. He told him to find a friend and never bealone. On October 6, heannounced that that was his intention. In the meantime, experts say violent hazings in high schools are becoming more frequent. No! The coaches, who supervised the trip, say that they had no idea any of this was happening during the camp. Anyone can read what you share. In this case the youth should be tried as adults because of the severity of the incident and the emotional and physical effect that it had on the victim, It was six o 'clock at the Friendswood junior high mustang field I was playing strong safety and I had to cover the extra receiver they brought out by the snap I was already beating my man and the next thing I know the ball was sailing my way straight to me. But the grand jury did not find the coaches criminally negligent. So it just goes on and on. The public was barred from the hearing, but the penalties and the judges comments were disclosed by relatives of victims, lawyers and cops. Touring the world with friends one mile and pub at a time; ut austin undergraduate majors Newsletter . Says one Mepham parent, Werealways in competition with the upper class., The kids on Kennedys football team know theMepham team, and theyre a little afraid of someof them. The morals, the attitudes, of a Mepham student,are different, suggests another Kennedy player,Danny. There's supervision, like any other school event.". A pack of teenagers congregates across the street from Mepham High School, smoking their cigarettes and clowning. Touring the world with friends one mile and pub at a time; Many parents, especially those with children on the football team, have found it hard adjusting to their new reality in the center of a fishbowl. Were doing this so they donthave to., In July, when Reichsteins son, an incomingfreshman, showed up for football practice, a junior onthe teamthe linemanstarted calling himand some of the other boys pussy,faggot, and cocksucker.Reichstein went to McElroy. Football is important to the high school experience and different familys history around the world. Wesley?Wesley was a nasty rat bastard! He was benched for two years as the lawsuit creptthrough the legal system. Doyou know who I am?, The freshman, trying to show a little backbone,replied: This is America. We got all new things to bring to pack. He had his little list. But the school board was unswayed by the coaches defenders. He alwayslistened. They hit his headon the porcelain and he got a concussion. Sometimes its hardto tell what bothers the people of Bellmore andMerrick moreallegations of sodomy or the abruptend of football season. Theyre big football players who look andact like football players, says Jesse.Big and aggressive., The lineman was yelled at a lot,remembers another boy.