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Lowell staged a miraculous comeback in last year s contest, scoring 34 points in the second half to stun the Hillies, 41-36. ""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," said student Felix Molina. 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. The student said he felt ill and experienced a lingering headache, but he did not seek treatment from the team athletic trainer for fear of being further characterized as weak. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. 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 I don't think any town or any school is immune from it. >> IT IS KIND OF DISTURBING AND NASTY. Crowley did not provide details of the 2019 allegation. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. One tradition put on hold, while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm. It's not good for our school. 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. While arraignments have begun in Lowell Juvenile Court for seven Woburn students, including five football players, charged with assaulting Coucelos, his parents say the report underscores that Woburn school officials head football coach Jack Belcher, athletic director Jim Duran, and principal Jessica Callanan, among them failed to adequately protect their son. Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave. BOSTON, Ma. A parent who asked not to be identified said her son, who graduated in 2021, was bullied on the practice field, in the locker room, and elsewhere in the school by his football teammates. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. NEW! The freshman football player is seen pulling up his pants in the video. 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. He also serves as a substitute teacher in the school. And in Woburn, police are "investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team." 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. 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. 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. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time. 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 took a big toll on him, very big toll.. 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. Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. The Rams released him in training camp before he was drafted by the Boston Breakers of the fledgling United States Football League. LEAGUE 4-1 2nd Middlesex - Liberty. One has an additional "indecent assault and battery" charge. Belcher, as the head coach, is responsible for the programs culture, according to specialists in student-athlete safety. It's really not a bad school. The Globe is not identifying the player who alleges he was kicked in the head because a Middlesex Superior Court judge sealed the case in October, citing student privacy concerns. Woburn likes to cover things up, said Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father and a lifelong resident. Somehow, ganging up or picking on someone half ones size has come to symbolize the kind of toughness required to be successful on a football field, basketball court or hockey rink. While school officials told the Globe their response was "comprehensive and thorough" and the DA's Office said there is an ongoing investigation, the family said it is outraged at what they say was relatively light school discipline against the football players involved in the assault and the lack of any criminal charges at those they say are responsible for the assault and ensuing harassment. Today and every day, I urge every member of our community to be kind to one another and do everything in their power to be part of making our community kinder and stronger. With Haverhill forfeiting the contest, Lowell will finish the season with a 4-7 record. 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 Crowley said in his letter Tuesday that the district has cooperated fully with the law enforcement investigation. "We wish to state, without reservation, that the Woburn Public Schools took this matter seriously as soon as we learned about it and that our response was comprehensive and thorough.". "The Woburn Police Department and Woburn Public Schools will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all students. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. The Globe reported on Saturday that the freshman said he was attacked in a locker room and grabbed by the genitals in an incident caught on video following a September game. He says there needs to be more accountability. All of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. Coucelos reported the violent incidents to coaches and the police who did not take enough action. "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. #ada-button-frame { He left his job as a paraprofessional at the Woburn school in April. 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. In 1983, Belcher was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. 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. PARENTS ARE NOW REVISITING BASIC RIGHTS AND WRONGSAT HOME. It goes on to show a fourth teen in underwear squatting into the victims face, while other boys screamed and cheered, according to reports. The Rockets improved to 2-0 by dominating Woburn, 35-7, last Saturday at Woburn High. The Haverhill School Committee was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Woburn Police Department received a complaint Wednesday involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the 7 students face charges in alleged Woburn HS hazing attack April 14, 2022, 10:11 PM Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old Follow us so you don't miss a thing! 2 Player of the Year, High school roundup: Vinny D'Urso, Lowell Catholic blank Haverhill, 1-0, MVC boys basketball: Tewksbury's Ryan Cuvier named Div. >> WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE VIDEO? It was disgusting. 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. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in "I share in the collective shock and outrage regarding this incident.". He hasnt left his room, he has barely eaten," Couceles said of his son. It's not good for our school. Hire A Woburn Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. Hazing in sports has long served as sort of an initiation rite, juvenile for the most part, not demeaning and vicious in nature. "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. Last spring, several schools across the state were faced with the emergence of hazing incidents on their athletic teams, some resulting in criminal charges against athletes and ties cut with coaches, athletic directors, and top administrators. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. April 14, 2022, 10:11 p.m. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. They're spirits of loved ones, Bill needs a kidney: Tyngsboro man searches for lifesaving donor, Lowell Catholic boys basketball team blows out Belchertown, No end in sight for case involving Dracut doc charged with patient's death, Toddler safe, car theft suspects apprehended, MVC girls basketball: Dracut's Ashlee Talbot named Div. 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. 2023 by KYMA / NPG of Yuma-El Centro Broadcasting. I'm Peter Iliopoulos, WCVB News Center five, Okay. Nelson concluded Coucelos was indeed assaulted and groped in the locker room. Something needs to be said, something to be done. The Woburn hazing accusations are the latest in a series of troubling charges of inappropriate behavior within high school athletic programs in Greater Boston. A Woburn police detective has been assigned to the case. "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. THE TEAM IS FORFEITING THE REST OF THE SEASON. Hahn said a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Lowell Juvenile Court was moved to March. But all these adults need to go.. Four days later, they stated, Callanan told them she had addressed the issue, without explaining how. The middlesex county district attorney's office says woburn police notified them about the allegations, and are investigating. 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. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. The moments before were obstructed from view by the crowd gathered around. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. ", The teen was joined by his parents Kevin and Jeanny and his lawyer Peter Hahn, who said the school failed Coucelos. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, "I fully support the superintendents actions in cancelling the Thanksgiving game, suspending those involved and conducting a full investigation. Multiple criminal complaints have been filed against several New Jersey high school students following two probes into allegations of rampant abuse and hazing. Former Woburn High School football player Johnathan Coucelos said he was assaulted and bullied by teammates in the locker room, In 13 seasons there, Belcher went 78-63 and was named the Globes coach of the year in 2008, after guiding his team to a 10-2 record and the league title. James Austin's son is on the football team. Bob Hohler can be reached at [email protected]. juvenile justice system handle the Woburn bullying case? AT LEAST ONE PERSON IS WEARING A HAVERHIL FOOTBALL SHIRT. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. Whats more, the family says, no school employee has publicly accepted responsibility for the trauma, while the students answer to criminal charges. And at some point, he had to leave the school for his safety. "It's just so wrong how they're handling it. "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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. mm 34 32 Ruben high school football team on the gridiron in a friday night matchup against Melrose. And this has very negatively impacted both Jonathan and his parents, the whole family.. 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