Dominick Novello, Mepham battle through tough conditions to advance to "Standing up and giving a 'rah, rah' when my son and the other boys are hurting in this way is so disrespectful. Should a person get paid just for showing up for there a job and not actually doing anything? Pertzborn and assistant coach Brad Rogeberg were made aware of the initial bullying on July 24, 2022, according to the police report. says McElroy. Every year parents and students of local schools can come and enjoy seeing kids of their community playing football, which could make a player's future bright, and a grandparent proud. Most of the shit they did was pranks,like shaving cream, one Mepham boy tells me ona sunny Wednesday, a day before the funeral of thelinemans father. He had his little list. After bullying allegations, Middleton coach allowed to resign with Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. "He [my son] called several times. When people talked aboutMepham, they talked about Famous Amos. Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death 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. He cites essays abouthazing from the Internet, including an academic paperby Elizabeth Allan of the University of Maine thatincludes in a long list of hazing activitiessexual simulation and sexual assault., The conduct took place in a juvenilesetting, Alter argues. And my son said, 'They inserted a broomstick.'". He was just frightened," says his father, Vinny. Colleges and the NCAA can make money selling jerseys and other souvenirs that might include the likeness of players, yet the actual players never receive a cent. Everything Everywhere All at Once has won in every category they were nominated for. Terroristicthreats. Since the scandal began, parents of students have squabbled among themselves and with members of the school administration over everything from the decision to cancel the football season to whether the school district could have prevented the incident. The two boys join their sister tobring the Communion offerings forward as the mournerssing Be Not Afraid.. Meanwhile, Nassau police on Monday found a found a cache of weapons near the school including baseball bats and golf clubs. Carol said it appeared Conway had sentenced Sofia to the boot camp because he disliked the teens attitude. Students moved from one cabin to another without the coaches' knowing, the report says. And would you let it happen a second and third time? ", "Did a parent come and complain to us? PARLIN, N.J. - The investigation at a New Jersey prep football powerhouse that has led to sex crime charges against seven teens prompted an almost unheard-of . "We're not animals. But rather, in my opinion, how could the coaches have known?" He told Pennsylvaniapolice that he couldnt release informationabout a student without a subpoena. Sometimes its hardto tell what bothers the people of Bellmore andMerrick moreallegations of sodomy or the abruptend of football season. I'm grabbing all the medication out of my cabinet and looking for everything that I think he's gonna hurt himself. The group, which calls itself Mepham Parents 4 Change, consists of eight families, but says it is quickly gathering support. On October 6, heannounced that that was his intention. How could we have known?". When the victims came forward, the team closed ranks.Kids who were said to have witnessed the attacksrefused to talk, even though the longtime coach of thePirates, Kevin McElroyCoach Mac to anyone whoknows himwarned them that the season would endif they didnt come forward. display: none; The coaches say they were staying in another cabin less than 50 yards from the players, and if anyone screamed, they would have heard it. Nothing.". How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh 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. , 2023-02-08, 18:25:23 How long has it been since you've licked a high school girls pussy daddy? Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. Long Beach 2022 on Nov 4, 2022. Doyou know who I am?, The freshman, trying to show a little backbone,replied: This is America. "These boys were like 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 4 inches, and roughly 250 lbs. There were no screams like that.". "The kid who just made the tackle," says Cannestro, identifying one of the players on the tape. 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.) Bellmore Journal; Life Goes On but Is Altered After School Scandal The police call what happened in August at thePirates five-day training camp a series ofAbner Louimastyle sex attacks (though,curiously, no student interviewed by police has evenmentioned Louimas name). The boy was a member of the 2007 Charlton County High School junior varsity golf team. One of the attackers was allowed to attend camp despite a history of disciplinary problems and not having a permission slip. He never judged us, saysDave Lohman, class of 94. He was benched for two years as the lawsuit creptthrough the legal system. We love our children. On 10/22, the Mepham varsity football team won their home conference game against South Side (Rockville Centre, NY) by a score of 49-18. We're in education because we love kids.". On the second day, the incidents became brutal. For me, this challenge helped me develop as a person than will work harder and strive for the best in my academics. The three attackers were charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse after they sodomized the younger players with pine cones, golf balls and a broomstick in August at a football camp in Preston Park, Pa. On 11/4, the Mepham varsity football team won their home conference game against MacArthur (Levittown, NY) by a score of 14-7. I heard the kidliked it.. McElroy says district policy discourages it: "To put a coach in the room, you're putting the coach or the adult right now at incredible risk of sexual charges.". Nassau County Girl Scouts fundraise for victims of quake in Syria, Turkey at Masjid Hamza, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. Some parents and athletes believe equal playing time for all sports and activities is deserved all through their middle school and high school careers. "He's one of the victims.". But even those who are, still have an astonishingly low chance at making the professional leagues. Both coaches still don't understand why they're being blamed for what happened last summer at Mepham High School's football camp. Thepurported ringleader, according to police, was thelineman. Once the season started, eight players tackled him inthe locker room and lowered him into the toilet; thistime, he says, it contained urine. Coach speaks out for first time on LI football team hazing allegations "Not once. But it really happened., McElroys lawyer vehemently denies almost everyaspect of Bergers story. Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: As part of your account, youll receive occasional updates and offers from New York, which you can opt out of anytime. Mepham High School Football Scandal - nymag.com But critics say their mistakes started early. They speak ofbroomsticks, pinecones, and golf balls. 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. 10/08/2022. NEW 'REAGAN' DEBATE - GOP RIPS SHOWTIME FOR TAKING SERIES Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, I'm a professional cleaner ditch these 4 household products immediately, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Prince Harry says psychedelics are fundamental part of his life, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss planned to tell Ariana Madix about affair. Of course not. Kids have come to practice Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday to get better, while their academics are suffering. They hit his headon the porcelain and he got a concussion. The district's superintendent, Dr. Thomas Caramore, defended the decision in a letter to the community earlier this month, saying the principal spoke with the boy and the coach before camp, and there was no way of anticipating the attacks. Hes dangerous, hes terrifying, hes an extra in, How to Watch the 2023 Oscars Celebrate All 23 Categories Live Again. Here's why food advocates are worried they cant afford it. Hasan Minhaj Brings His Powerpoints and Power Suits to Independent Spirit Awards. The abuse occurred day and night, and young players were attacked repeatedly and forced to sodomize each other, the report says. I need to see a doctor,'" says Carol. A day later, the threeboys were suspended, and a student demonstrationerupted behind the schoolto the delight of theTV crews camped out there. That kid wassick! says a player named Rob. 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. And I can't ever get that back from him," says Patty. Students should not have to tryout for school sports. The owner of the store posted a sign in his window earlier this month: ''We are Bellmore. We have more wealthy backgrounds, saysDanny. They were carried outover several nights, with several victims, one of whomrequired surgery for his injuries. Students ''don't know who to blame,'' said Allie. Perhaps most prominent among the group are Victor and Kristina Reichstein, who have criticized the school's principal, John F. Didden, and the team's head coach, Kevin McElroy, from the beginning. Most of these scouts are from college teams, and others are from, Every year individuals from all across the United States makes the decision on whether or not they will try out for an interscholastic athletic team. "We have a clip of the JV football scrimmage," says McElroy, who believes it proves that there was nothing obviously wrong. They also understand they will need to sacrifice time, energy, and their social life in order to achieve these goals. Half that shit they didisnt even that bad.. For many years, people have been debating about whether sports teams for kids should have selective tryouts. Since returning from camp, he has barely slept. No! What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan shows just that. Know what is expected andacceptable. Be responsible. Duct tape was yanked from the victims' bottoms and pubic areas, and two of the victims were forced to smear Mineral Ice on their testicles, and then kick each other there, the report says. He really was.". The coach told Bergerhe needed a physical. He never brought this incident toMcElroys attention; he must have brought it tothe JV coachs attention. 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 Considering the college scholarships that can be provided, the countless generations of players in certain families, and the homecoming activities would be pointless without it. In 1994, Wesley Bergerwas a Mepham freshman, a football player with a shelfof trophiesMVP for the peewee league,fastest-runner and best-tackler awards. The grand jury has been investigating the attacks for months to determine whether the coaches should be indicted and what led to the assaults. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. Not like Wesley Berger, Vic says.Hes overexposed.. At least one group of parents has decided they will continue to speak out. ''We don't do it in front of them,'' the teenager said, referring to the victims. Was there anything that indicated they were injured or traumatized? Relatives of the victims, 13 and 14 at the time of the attacks, expressed satisfaction at the outcome. Experts: Parents and coaches must be vigilant to curb hazing in teen School Board Votes to Dismiss 5 Mepham Football Coaches He says the coach said,Okay, Ill handle it. From thatmoment on, the junior stopped callingReichsteins son faggot andstarted calling him tattletale boy., One day at practice, the lineman approached him whilehe was drinking from a water fountain. Does heknow this for sure? The coaches let him go, the report says, ''because he was a good football player. Decent football player, though.. A grand jury report later described how they used duct tape to pull off their children's pubic hair, how they forced them and another boy they sodomized to kick each other in the groin, and then threatened to beat and kill all of them if they told anybody. Everyone should be so lucky.''. Tryouts are the worst thing about sports, they bring nothing but more stress to your plate. ''It's got to end here. In the case of my four month concussion, there are residual mental and physical problems. Moreover, they must spend money on equipment, clothing, and food (37). Many have lost sight of the fact that baseball players are not the only athletes that face this life threatening addiction. But I justgot off the phone with the mother of one of thevictims, and she told me that were her bestadvocate. Mepham victims file suitCharge Central District officials knew about I said, 'What's the matter?' David Woycik, a lawyer for the victims, said, My clients were relieved that [Sofia and Carney] will be out of the community and off the streets and they are pleased the judicial system worked to a certain extent.. 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. Thursday, November 6, 2003 Posted: 1537 GMT (11:37 PM HKT) Story Tools. My sonthinks its just a bad thing that went too far,too fast., Andy mentions what some people are sayingthatwhat happened at camp was part of a pattern of hazingat Mepham. Who? Thanks for contacting us. . Then it became a football school. Kristina and Vic Reichstein stand upand say their son, a freshman, was threatened by thelineman during practice in July and August. His dadsaved his friends life that day. I want to bepart of the team.. Long Island high school rocked by lurid football hazing scandal Theyre sick of reporters, andtheyre worried about the lineman. 49 - 18 W. And he's looking for something in the house to hurt himself.' A player tried to flush his head in a urinal. We're going to all the sports stores. At middle schools, high schools and colleges across the country, everyone is arguing over whether or not students with failing grades should be allowed to play sports. Mepham High School football hazing case tore Long Island apart in 2003. I said, You wantto lock me in a locker and laugh for an hour, fine.But Im not down with urine, dude., At the beginning of his junior year, Berger says, heshowed up to start the season. At first, shock and disbelief prevailed. When a. Statistically showing, at least 100,000 college football players get hurt yearly. 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. 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. There are the ugly jokes, the signs and buttons declaring neighborhood solidarity, and for some people, new-found activism. A failure can be a downward spiral or a setback turning into a benefit. In recent years, the Pirates havent done aswell, losing roughly as many games as theyvewon, but the coach remains a local legendafather figure who welcomes players to his house forbarbecues with his teenage daughters in attendance.Its not surprising, then, that McElroy and theadministration would be the first stop on thewhos-to-blame tour. This was a sexual attack!, Are we gonna argue about this? ''People just want to move on,'' said one teenager, sucking on his cigarette. Jonathan Anderson gets one of the first qualities of great fashion that it has to feel a bit strange. A school divided Students split over Central board's decision to cancel We got all new things to bring to pack. "I don't want everything he's gone through to be just a waste. Kids in the bunks didn't tell us. Yet to place responsibilityon any adult, coach or parent, means at leastpartially acquitting the kids; to suggest that someoneshould have stopped them is to believe that they couldhave been stopped. At Mepham High School on Long Island, the entire football season was canceled after players admitted to sadistically hazing fellow teammates. Bellmore Journal; Life Goes On but Is Altered After School Scandal, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/20/nyregion/bellmore-journal-life-goes-on-but-is-altered-after-school-scandal.html. I told him what hazing was, he says.I did not explain to him that hazing wasgolf balls, broomsticks, and pinecones.Reichsteins son was unharmed; three otherfreshmen werent so lucky. What about, say, having your head flushed in a toilet? Sofia was sentenced to the boot camp and Carney to the detention center both in Pennsylvania. JUDGE SLAMS MEPHAM HAZERS - New York Post Mary is athird-generation Bellmoron. Her boy,Kyle, played varsity. The fact thatthese studies show the prevalence of this conduct inmany hazing situations supports a conclusion thattheres no reason to believe that this wouldhave occurred outside of such a setting, or abelief that such conduct would reoccur., Besides, he notes, the juvenile-justice systemaffords kids a second chance. Some kids even approach them and suggestthat the time has come to let bygones be bygones.Their logic is biblicalan eye for an eye.The linemans father died! Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. MacArthur 2022 on Nov 4, 2022. Expect to be held accountablefor your choices and actions. Be truthful.From The Mepham Way, Mepham HighSchools honor code, 48 MINUTES OF HELL, A LIFETIME TO REMEMBERSlogan on a Mepham Pirates football T-shirt. Conway could have sentenced the three including Phil Sofia, 17, and Ken Carney, 16 to juvenile jail until they turned 21 or he could have given them probation. He gave his son a cellphone. It's a couple of days.' Then came the civil suit, settled for apaltry sum, to cover medical bills.Berger got threatening letters: Keep singing,Berger, and youll see.. When trying to become a professional athlete, one must start playing sports as early as possible (Ferguson 34).Playing sports comes with many sacrifices. Waiting outside in front of the hearseis a police escort, to ward off the media. Berger says his friends persuaded him to stay off theteam. Children have strived for years to make their parents, teachers and coaches proud of them. At a school-board meeting onOctober 1, packed with camera crews and angry parents,Superintendent Caramore tries to explain that hazingsimply doesnt happen at Mephamthatfootball was canceled not because of what the boysallegedly did but because their teammates neverreported it. According to the report, two of the attackers held down one of the freshmen while the third sodomized the freshman with a broomstick coated with Mineral Ice, a pain-relieving ointment. Instead, thevictims were laughed at in the halls, calledfaggot and broomstick boy.The superintendent, Thomas Caramore, shielded theschool from inquiries at first. The grand jury criticizes the school district for not providing adequate supervision during the weeklong camp, and says the district should adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward violent behavior. Future of Sayreville football coaches may hinge on supervision Im theprincipal, he said, and Illdecide who can go on the trip. The lineman wasallowed to go to camp. Theyre investigating the possibility that some students were planning to attack their schoolmates. This wasn't just something that happened when the lights went out.". That hasnt satisfied parents whocomplain about the lost scholarships, the deflatedhomecoming celebration, and the fund-raisers for othersports, all of which depend on football and are nowruined, theyre saying, because of a couple ofmessed-up kids.