Hanley presented his investigative findings to Carl Nelson, a Woburn middle school principal designated as the decision maker for a federally mandated Title IX review of Couceloss sexual misconduct complaint. Now there was a heavy police presence here at the game, but no issues here tonight. The Coucelos family accused school officials of putting the football teams interests ahead of student safety with their disciplinary measures. WE NEED TO DETERMINE HOW THIS HAPPENED AND WHAT WE CAN DO SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. 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. It took a big toll on him, very big toll.. Severe Weather Alerts PARENTS ARE NOW REVISITING BASIC RIGHTS AND WRONGSAT HOME. The Woburn Police Department received a complaint Wednesday involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the 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. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. Crowley said they have reached out to the Couceles family. 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. 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. 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. And in Woburn, police are "investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team." HOME3-3 AWAY4-0 NEUTRAL0-1. 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. He said he witnessed Belcher routinely pit players against each other during practice. He says there needs to be more accountability. }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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Some Woburn residents are upset that alleged assailants were allowed to play at Fenway in the Thanksgiving game against Winchester. Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.. "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. "I think the parents need to take action, I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are and just know their kids' temperament," Austin shared. LEAGUE 4-1 2nd Middlesex - Liberty. It gets me emotional every time I have to talk about this.". Hahn said he provided notice to the city and school district about their intent to sue. Something needs to be said, something to be done. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. I don't think any town or any school is immune from it. #ada-button-frame { Asked to cite an inaccuracy, Callanan did not respond. It's been a turbulent few years for the Woburn football program. March 1, 2022 Greater Boston. It's really not a bad 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. WOBURN SENIOR FOOTBALL CAPTAINS (l-r) Derek Dabrieo, Jake Daniell, Derek Baccari, Anthony Palmieri and Yahya Aksadi. 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. And this has very negatively impacted both Jonathan and his parents, the whole family.. What happens when providers turn to medication first? I JUST THINK ITS AWFUL. "Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.". At BC, he was a 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound football center and team cocaptain under coach Jack Bicknell, snapping the ball to quarterback Doug Flutie. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. 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. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.. Coucelos reported the violent incidents to coaches and the police who did not take enough action. "It was gross. PF343 PA206 STREAK2W. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office also said they were notified about the allegations by police and are participating in the investigation. He was attacked in his Spanish class. 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. He should have been fired., The Globe asked Belcher and other school officials to comment. Detective assigned to investigate allegations of hazing involving Woburn High School sports team. Callanan hired him in 2017 to succeed Woburns legendary coach, Rocky Nelson, and a former student who played in three of Belchers first four years at Woburn said, My first impression of him was positive. 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. 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. "We are committed to a thorough, multifaceted fact finding operation, and we pledge to be forthcoming regarding the results of those investigations and to enact their findings and recommendations., "As these investigations remain active and ongoing, we will continue to allow that process to unfold," he added. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved.". Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. OVERALL 7-4 0.64 Win %. Belcher told Hanley he had left the building before the incident. The middlesex county district attorney's office says woburn police notified them about the allegations, and are investigating. 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. Because the investigation involves minors, both the Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office told NBC10 Boston they cannot provide information about the case. "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. The two teams were scheduled to play in Haverhill at 10 a.m., the time all high-school games are played on that season-ending day for most teams. }Customer Service. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! Lowell staged a miraculous comeback in last year s contest, scoring 34 points in the second half to stun the Hillies, 41-36. A Woburn school psychologists evaluation states he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, causing him significant symptoms of anxiety and depression, due to the violence he endured. I urge all people involved to cooperate completely with the investigators so that the best and most just outcome can be reached. Crowley said in his most recent statement to the Globe that the school district also will make certain that the investigators are aware of this past, unsubstantiated allegation regarding Coach Belcher to ensure that they are provided with any and all context necessary for a full and fair investigation.. Couceles says a student pulled down his sons pants and groped his genitals. The remaining coaches reported hearing nothing unusual from their offices near the locker room, despite the loud commotion, which numerous players recorded. Belcher started his high school coaching career as an assistant at Bishop Fenwick in 2001. The Woburn case put a spotlight on numerous violent incidents in high school sports over the last year that have been brought to the attention of government officials, civil rights groups, and student safety organizations. Jessica Callanan, principal of Woburn Memorial High School said in a statement to Greater Boston, "the Coucelos familys complaint is and should be taken seriously. Last September, Johnathan Coucelos had just finished dressing in the freshman locker room when he got jumped by about a dozen teammates, a video recording shows. Web7 students face charges in alleged Woburn HS hazing attack 2,940 views Apr 14, 2022 Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football He hasnt left his room, he has barely eaten," Couceles said of his son. He added, "I used to wake up and go out with half of my friends and now I'm just locked up in my room and finally going into a different school. Ten football captains six seniors and four juniors circulated a letter to news outlets, saying they were not trying to minimize any allegations that are being investigated by the proper people., In fact, we all condemn bullying of any kind, the captains wrote. The player alleges Woburn head coach Jack Belcher instigated the kick by encouraging older teammates to in Belchers words toughen up younger ones. "I share in the collective shock and outrage regarding this incident.". When I first saw it, I thought it was just a form of competition, he said. All seven face single counts of assault and battery, while one also is charged with indecent assault and battery for allegedly grabbing Couceloss genitals. It's not good for our school. Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave. Attempts to reach Belcher, Duran, and Andrews were unsuccessful. One football player was accused of indecent assault for allegedly yanking down Johnathans pants and touching his genitals in the locker room episode. Coucelos alleged he also was punched by another student on a school bus, but the investigation determined Coucelos himself was the aggressor. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. The MIAA rejected the request, saying it does not investigate internal complaints involving member schools. "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. 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's just so wrong how they're handling it. The Rockets improved to 2-0 by dominating Woburn, 35-7, last Saturday at Woburn High. 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. Woburn officials issue statement about investigation involving football team. In his letter, Crowley said the incident that occurred this past September involved student athletes and included allegations of physical and sexual abuse of a student by their teammates. The student who grabbed him in the classroom, he said, was a former Woburn football player. Two more students face charges for subsequent harassment in the weeks after the assault in the locker room. Hanley found the team assault was planned, organized, and executed by a substantial number of sophomore players. One player said he punched Coucelos multiple times after the sophomores like 30 kids decided to beat up Johnathan.. His parents made that decision to withdraw him from the school because it was no longer safe for him to be there. 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 doesn't feel the same anymore to be out in public," he said. His complaint says Belcher witnessed the incident but reprimanded neither the assailant nor numerous players who taunted the alleged victim with vulgarities, insinuating he was soft.. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. Nelson concluded Coucelos was indeed assaulted and groped in the locker room. The video appears to show three boys one of them wearing a Haverhill football shirt dragging another teen across the floor of a locker room. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. This is an active and ongoing investigation. The court is expected to decide in early March whether charges are warranted. He instills hard work, with strict rules, respect for team members and respect for adults at all times. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. THE MASSACHUSETTS INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CREATING A PROGRAM WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE TO STOP HAZING AND TO REMIND STUDENTS PLAYING SPORTS IS A PRIVILEGE. THE FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF IS ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE. With Haverhill forfeiting the contest, Lowell will finish the season with a 4-7 record. 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 This content is imported from Facebook. display: none; The three-year initiative is called Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence. ", "The boys involved in this disgusting incident should be immediately permanently removed from the team," the mayor said in his statement. It was very nasty. It was very nasty. Unfortunately, Lowells seniors wont be able to experience that joy of victory or agony of defeat. He is a good person that cares tremendously for us.. He allegedly was punched and struck with water bottles, as well as being indecently assaulted. Peter Hahn, the attorney representing the Couceles family, said five high school students are facing charges for assault and battery for the September incident. High school students in Woburn, Massachusetts, are facing criminal charges after incidents of hazing, including one that was recorded and posted on social media after a football game last September Moving forward, he said all of the districts coaches will be required to undertake extensive supplemental training. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. Thats a perversion of sports culture, which instead of building character, produces cowardly thugs. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The family is asking for accountability from the school. How will the Mass. The former Woburn player asserted the waiver was warranted in part because of the trauma he allegedly endured in Belchers program. All rights reserved, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of New Hampshire: An NBC10 Boston Original, Crash Causes Injuries, Lane Closure on I-95 in Peabody, Tracking the Next Hit of Wintry Weather Headed to New England, Due Late Week, Even After Investigation, Stoneham Cop Hasn't Paid Dime of Rent to New Landlord, FIRST ALERT: As Snow Continues to Fall, Weekend Storm Promises More for Boston, JetBlue Plane, Private Jet Have Close Call' at Boston's Logan Airport: FAA. "As these matters concern allegations involving minors, there was and remains much we cannot say publicly about this situation," Crowley said. But conflicting witness statements prevented Nelson from establishing who groped Coucelos, he stated. It's a sad situation and hopefully they figure out what happened and it doesn't happen again. Coaches are, by policy, considered responsible for safeguarding student-athletes against any form of abuse. Editorial: Put sports hazing out of its misery, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Editorial: Sports betting rollout still ironing out kinks, Editorial: Give localities control over age to vote, Editorial: DNA sleuth tracks down suspects, kin, Seeing orbs in photos? Kevin Couceles says cellphone video shared on social media shows his then 14-year-old son being assaulted in the locker room after a football game last Woburn High made no substantive efforts to curtail the bullying, they stated. Officials in Woburn said Saturday that authorities are investigating a complaint received earlier in the week involving members of a Woburn High School sports team. "They haven't given my son or even us any support whatsoever," Kevin Coucelos said. Police seek charges against seven students after Woburn locker room incident, After Woburn football player endures multiple alleged assaults, parents left outraged by official response. ""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. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. Belcher, as the head coach, is responsible for the programs culture, according to specialists in student-athlete safety. (WHDH) - Seven Woburn High School students are facing assault and battery charges after they allegedly attacked a former classmate. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. 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