The guy grabbed me in front of the wholeteam, Berger says. Dominick Novello #2, Mepham quarterback, throws a pass during a rain-filled Nassau County football Conference II semifinal against Long Beach at Shuart Stadium on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. All rights reserved. Those kids are running at full speed. Kevin Minnick | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com | Dec 7, 2022. We love our community. 18 - 35 L. 10/15/2022. ", Patty says her son also hasn't recovered from the ordeal: "About a month ago, I had gotten a call from a neighbor. However, earning your position, being undeserving of playing time, and coaches trying to win in their respected program are all issues that need to be thought of before people begin fighting for equal playing time. Many have lost sight of the fact that baseball players are not the only athletes that face this life threatening addiction. He triedseriously to treat him as a regular kid, like nothingever happened.
After Allegations of Abuse, A Football Season Is Canceled 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. asks McElroy. Children have strived for years to make their parents, teachers and coaches proud of them. What we're saying is, I notice when somebody's limping. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, The crime scene evidence that convicted Alex Murdaugh, How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh, Murdaugh defense team plans to appeal conviction, Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death. Did you know that depending on the sport, students who play sports in college most likely have less than a 2% chance of becoming professional athletes? Kristina and Vic Reichstein stand upand say their son, a freshman, was threatened by thelineman during practice in July and August. By Michael Luo.
Due to the amount of padding they have to wear, football players can easily disguise their size therefore keeping them from receiving scrutiny from the public. He was benched for two years as the lawsuit creptthrough the legal system. Theres no way youcant play me. For Carol's son, it doesn't end. Youth sports are becoming too intense for young children to keep up with. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, Chamber, mayors office are no match for the Thunderbolts.
Mepham victims file suitCharge Central District officials knew about We wanted them to be tried as adults, but we lost that battle. Moreover, they must spend money on equipment, clothing, and food (37). More than 60 players attended the camp, including the boy's best friend Patty and Jimmy's son who was also just 13. Yeah, that shit gotfreakin blown up. 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. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us.
After bullying allegations, Middleton coach allowed to resign with It stated that, at the camp,. We dont beat guysup., Some of his old teammates have gathered to buy drinksfrom him. Nothing.". Ken Carney, 16, the ringleader of the attacks, was well-known by school administrators as a disciplinary problem. What about, say, having your head flushed in a toilet? 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. He alwayslistened. The coaches also showed 48 Hours a tape never before made public - one they say was recorded on the last day of camp.
Atlantic City Football 2022-2023 - NJ.com We got the ball first on kick off and we made a touchdown on the first few drives.On.
Dangerous Minds - CBS News Students should not have to tryout for school sports. Who doyou think you are? said the lineman, accordingto Reichsteins son. She says Didden said no twice.Thats when Vic stood up and called Didden aliar. #inline-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { Trending News Clutching their schoolbooks in their arms, Allie and Sarah said they actually felt tremendous pride in their school these days. Research shows that 70% of kids drop out of sports for many reasons and not making the team is one. Coaches, the report says, were oblivious to what was occurring. Who? Parents are paying up on school meals again. October 11, 2014 / 7:28 PM / AP. NEW! 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. Mephamsstudent body is pulled from the northern part of thecommunity, where there are $50,000-a-year jobs and theschool parking lot is dominated by Chevys and Fords. However, some would argue to say high school football is too dangerous to keep around. Students ''don't know who to blame,'' said Allie. A football captain begged for the season to be reinstated, and his pleas were met with thunderous applause. Subscriber Exclusive. "My son came forward, did something that he did not want to do. The victims didn't tell us. The team did it along with some guidance from my assistant coach and the parents. I went to summerschool with them. The lineman, he says,was always starting fights. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, Chamber, mayors office are no match for the Thunderbolts. Hes been introuble before, that kid. 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). Most high school athletes across America share one common aspiration: play their sport at the next level in college. Most of themare yelling. The school also erred by putting the coaches in one cabin and leaving the players in other cabins, supervised only by an older teammate, the report says. On October 6, heannounced that that was his intention. Kids in the bunks didn't tell us. He called the school boards decision 100 percent unjust.. 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.". 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. We got all new things to bring to pack. #inline-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { It devastated us. 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. This has allowed more and more players to look to PEDs in order to gain an edge over their opponents. Some say that although they are shocked and angry over the incident, they are torn over whether the alleged attackers, still juveniles, deserve long prison sentences -- which they would face if they are tried as adults, as the prosecution wants. The lineman was furious. What went wrong? It's a couple of days.'
Bellmore Journal; Life Goes On but Is Altered After School Scandal He knows the mainkid, she says. At 1:21 p.m. last Friday, the Mepham High School football and cheerleading squads should have rushed onto Mepham's field for a
Thursday, November 6, 2003 Posted: 1537 GMT (11:37 PM HKT) Story Tools. The group, which calls itself Mepham Parents 4 Change, consists of eight families, but says it is quickly gathering support. Here's why food advocates are worried they cant afford it. 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 Oh, Loosey! 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. When trying to become a professional athlete, one must start playing sports as early as possible (Ferguson 34).Playing sports comes with many sacrifices. He strokes his sisters hair withone hand and slides an arm around his brothersshoulders. This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. He was riding the bus along with varsity members, who held him upside down. The conversation easily shifts to a defenseof Coach Mac. Everyone in the pews has heard how the father had beendevastated by the criminal charges his son was facing.Aggravated assault. We've received your submission. 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. The coaches would have to be everywhere at thesame time, says Dave Hill. But the school board was unswayed by the coaches defenders. Broomsticks dipped in mineral ice, a kind of liquid heat, golf balls, pine cones and toothbrushes, were all pushed into the boy's rectums.
"He missed the whole first, basically, semester. Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix have broken up after he allegedly cheated on her with Raquel Leviss. A problem arises though once try outs are over and the team is announced. But the school district, which canceled the football season last fall, has now, after seeing the grand jury report, relieved the coaches of their teaching positions at Mepham. My father was agreat man, he begins, and tells a story of howhis dad once saw a crashed, burning car, pulled overand ran to help, and discovered that the guy trappedin the passengers seat was a friend. "He was waiting for them [the coaches] to come in and save him, but no one came," says Carol's husband, Vinny. 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. He even threatened teachers. No. I want to bepart of the team.. He had to tell people what happened to him," says Carol. For many years, people have been debating about whether sports teams for kids should have selective tryouts.
Sofia LaSpina first Long Island female football player to score TD 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. Instead, they were treated as juveniles. The Nassau Conference II showdown between these two unbeatens has . But the victims told their parents they were screaming at the top of their lungs. He gave his son a cellphone. Instead, thevictims were laughed at in the halls, calledfaggot and broomstick boy.The superintendent, Thomas Caramore, shielded theschool from inquiries at first. ''There's no question that they knew hazing had gone on for years, and they allowed it to go on,'' said Robert Kelly, a lawyer for two of the victims. This story has been shared 140,209 times. 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.
Anger, fear in wake of Mepham attacks Parents afraid after football 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. 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. Hisfriend was a captain on the team, he maybe was gonnaget a scholarship. 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. 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? In the meantime, experts say violent hazings in high schools are becoming more frequent. Whos going to give him thatmoney now? Berger produced the requiredslip of paper. For a select number of fortunate athletes, that dream becomes a reality when they commit to a school and sign their letter of intent.
Anyplayer that wants to be on the football team can be onthe team. CNN. Please enter valid email address to continue. Waiting outside in front of the hearseis a police escort, to ward off the media. Mepham High School Football Tragedy 1056 Words | 5 Pages. The parishioners sing Make Me aChannel of Your Peace. And then the younglineman, who charged onto the varsity squad hissophomore year at W.C. Mepham High SchoolHomeof the Piratesis in tears. Most are no longer talking about the issue publicly, tired of the maelstrom of feelings that is stirred each time. One of the attackers was allowed to attend camp despite a history of disciplinary problems and not having a permission slip. Berger sayshe got up and called his dad, who went straight to thecoaches. 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 I was by far the besthalfback on the team, Berger says, now 23 butstill angry. His broad shoulders are slumpedand trembling as he walks the coffin down the aisle ofSaint Barnabas Church in Bellmore, Long Island. As she accepts her Someone to Watch award on stage. The football players were unfairly penalized by the sanctions that were placed on the team. And who you can expect to see performing and presenting.
Mepham victims file suitCharge Central District officials knew about Coach Mac talked to my mom, convinced us tostay. Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. MacArthur 2022 on Nov 4, 2022. 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. What's gonna come out of this is another parent is gonna say, 'Oh, I'm gonna make sure there's no hazing at my school.'" ''We don't do it in front of them,'' the teenager said, referring to the victims. Or as David Woycik, who represents another victim,puts it: Theres bound to be a movie madeabout this., This is not what Isigned on for when I tried to do the rightthing, says Vic Reichstein. I notice when they're injured. Anyone can read what you share. 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. Of course this thing escalated tosodomy, Berger says.
JUDGE SLAMS MEPHAM HAZERS - New York Post As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. They did not come to help me.Rullo quotes the parent of that child as blamingprincipal John Didden, who did not protect mychild., Four days later, Rullo and two other parents who spokereceive identical profanity-laced letters in the mail,warning that if they keep speaking out, theyllalso get the broomstick treatment. Not a lot of kids are good enough to play in the top college sports programs in the country. Sofia was sentenced to the boot camp and Carney to the detention center both in Pennsylvania. He used to play in the minor leagues and the team loved him because of his dedication to their lives and his credibility at baseball. They were later suspended from classes on September 18. We said, 'Are they hurting you?' "There were no screams. Thats when Berger says Coach Mac lunged athimhis hand reaching the boys throat. But these parents say the risk to their children was greater. says McElroy. Football is important to the high school experience and different familys history around the world. 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. Involuntary deviate sexualintercourse. He wrestled instead. That, thelineman says, is the kind of man his father was.
Dominick Novello, Mepham battle through tough conditions to advance to They were carried outover several nights, with several victims, one of whomrequired surgery for his injuries. Not a wink. When a. Statistically showing, at least 100,000 college football players get hurt yearly. When people talked aboutMepham, they talked about Famous Amos. All five lost their coaching positions. According to the report, ''a lack of accountability appears to permeate the entire structure of the administration and running of this camp program.'' The grand jury has been investigating the attacks for months to determine whether the coaches should be indicted and what led to the assaults. Soon after the first revelations of the attacks, the Reichsteins reached out to newspapers and television stations with their story. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google "The gastroenterologist said, 'What happened? He's back home on Long Island.
Mepham High School Football Scandal - nymag.com Diasparra cut a deal and received probation. We dontalways understand, and we dont alwayssee. He attempts a little levityIknow he shared his hopes for the Yankees with theLordbefore straining for profundity:The great artist has finished hisportrait. He urges the mourners to say a prayerfor the family. And he's looking for something in the house to hurt himself.' One afternoon after practice, they air theirtheories, the chief one being that the lineman musthave been traumatized as a kid. In that case, new players at. This story has been shared 140,209 times. The grand jury report did not state that sexual assault had been part of hazing at Mepham High School or at past football camps (there were two before 2003). "Am I an evil person? For me, this challenge helped me develop as a person than will work harder and strive for the best in my academics. Reichsteins wife,Kristina, then begged Didden to make an example of thelineman. The answer to all those questions is no.". "Something happened in between those practices every single time, to my son. Which mayexplain why Coach Mac, in his only public statement,has concurred with Caramore. Everyone should be so lucky.''. It was horrible. "Everybody says we should just know. Three varsity players are charged by Pennsylvania authorities with sodomizing three junior varsity players with broomsticks, pine cones and golf balls. Touring the world with friends one mile and pub at a time; ut austin undergraduate majors Newsletter . And you know, I'm panicking.". The sentences are indeterminate, but will be reviewed every four months. Dozens of Long Island parents outraged at the handling of broomstick hazing assaults at a Mepham High School football camp are organizing a secret meeting tomorrow to plan action against. 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. They have become activists, who say that the incident is just part of a pattern of problems in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. According to her, Didden said he wouldinvestigate the incident. 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.. Tell us how you did it coach. These words were forced into my face with a camera lens almost resting against my cheeks (page 395). Those individuals who just made the team now deal with a problem that happens mainly from the. But rather, in my opinion, how could the coaches have known?" A player tried to flush his head in a urinal. Everybody knew I got hazed in the lockerroom, he says. "We're not suggesting anything about injuries. He said his surgery was a success, but he needs time to heal before he can tour again. Our community is being blamed. The coaches are suing to get their jobs back. ", Are they lying? How could we have known?". Anyone can read what you share. Travis Barkers Finger Is Now the Enema of Blink-182 Fans. Were more Jewish! another kidyells, laughing. "I couldn't even process it in my head. Carol said it appeared Conway had sentenced Sofia to the boot camp because he disliked the teens attitude. Three days after camp ended, Carol and Vinny's son asked for help. Sometimes its hardto tell what bothers the people of Bellmore andMerrick moreallegations of sodomy or the abruptend of football season.
L.I. Village Split Over Decision To Forfeit Game Over Hazing You could just seehe had so much anger in him.
This was the 94th meeting between the two schools . 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. He previously suffered a brain aneurysm on February 18, and was ultimately taken off life support. ", "Did a parent come and complain to us? 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. Should they also get paid the same amount even if another co-worker is better at their job? Mepham High School Football Coach Anthony Cracco's Sex Scandal Has Bellmore . Now the Reichsteins have written the stateDepartment of Education, demanding an investigation. No," says McElroy. When Patty and Jimmy's son came home, he told them he had been sodomized, too. No!! "Standing up and giving a 'rah, rah' when my son and the other boys are hurting in this way is so disrespectful. Athletes must commit time to practice and traveling.