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. 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. 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. A FOOTBALL PLAYER IS TRYING TO PULL OFF CLOTHING FROM ANOTHER YOUNG MAN AND LATER ENDS UP ON TOP OF THE ALLEGED HAZING VICTIM. "They haven't given my son or even us any support whatsoever," Kevin Coucelos said. "Very heartbroken.. Couceles says a student pulled down his sons pants and groped his genitals. All of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. 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 September. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. >> WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE VIDEO? Lowell Highs annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Haverhill has been canceled due to an alleged hazing incident involving Haverhill players that was 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. Belcher, 60, has been familiar to many in the Woburn area since he was a three-sport star at neighboring Stoneham High School in the late 1970s. Couceles said his wife decided to pull their son out of the Woburn school for his safety in December. "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.". It is my understanding that the allegation was made in 2019 and that the High School administration promptly investigated the allegation in accordance with our bullying prevention policy and procedure, and that it was not substantiated. REPORTER: THE MAYOR SAYS I SUPPORT HIRING AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO -- TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION. The court is expected to decide in early March whether charges are warranted. What happened to that boy in the locker room was heinous, said Lee Wilson, whose son Logan played for Belcher and graduated in 2020. Its also heinous that Belcher kept those kids on the team.. And this has very negatively impacted both Jonathan and his parents, the whole family.. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Crowley did not provide details of the 2019 allegation. 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. mm 34 32 Ruben high school football team on the gridiron in a friday night matchup against Melrose. I urge all people involved to cooperate completely with the investigators so that the best and most just outcome can be reached. WE NEED TO DETERMINE HOW THIS HAPPENED AND WHAT WE CAN DO SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. PF343 PA206 STREAK2W. "The school official, superintendent, the principal, vice principal, coaches they all should [face] consequences.. 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. It was disgusting. "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. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved.". 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. He is a good person that cares tremendously for us.. ", Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. Belcher also serves as a substitute teacher in the school. Coucelos reported the violent incidents to coaches and the police who did not take enough action. Now, five years into Belchers coaching career at Woburn, the culture of his program and the school districts supervision of the former Boston College football standout are under scrutiny. A Woburn police detective has been assigned to the case. 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. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office has said they have been notified of the incident by woburn police. The Globe does not identify victims of alleged sexual assaults unless they give their consent. A family in Woburn, Massachusetts, wants to see justice served when it comes to the teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. We couldn't do it without you. >> WANT TO GET STUDENTS -- STUDENT ATHLETES AND ADULT LEADERS IN A ROOM AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW TO BEAT HUMAN BEINGS. The superintendent said in his letter Tuesday that Woburn Public Schools has retained outside private counsel -- the law firm of Butters Brazilian LLP and Attorney Patrick Hanley -- to conduct a comprehensive Title IX investigation, which remains ongoing. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. Johnathan Coucelos, with his family: from left, mother, Jeanny, brother Jaxon, Johnathan, sister, Karmen, brother Jacob, and father, Kevin. To my knowledge, there have been no other bullying allegations made to the administration regarding this individual.. Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. Two other Woburn students allegedly accosted Coucelos later, he said. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. In the most disturbing incident, the parent said, her son was a freshman when four older teammates attacked him in a school hallway after Belcher allegedly encouraged stronger players to toughen up those perceived as weaker. Incidents like these have no place in our community, the superintendent added. The Woburn case is one of numerous violent incidents in high school sports over the last year that have captured the attention of government officials, civil rights groups, and student safety organizations. But off the field, an investigation is underway, Sources tell News Center Five Police are investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team. TONIGHT IS THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING HERE AT HAV. The player who was initially hopeful about Belcher said the team engaged in a ritual in 2019 in which one player each week got jumped by his teammates and whacked with foam rollers. Woburn likes to cover things up, said Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father and a lifelong resident. "The Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. The Coucelos family accused school officials of putting the football teams interests ahead of student safety with their disciplinary measures. 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. The Woburn Police Department received a complaint Wednesday involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. Instead, Belcher instructed the traumatized player to return to the field for 35 more minutes of contact drills, his complaint states. In Danvers, a member of the boys hockey program publicly accused teammates of using racial slurs and engaging in homophobic hazing with a sex toy during the 2019-2020 season. It took a big toll on him, very big toll.. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships |, Daily News Updates I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. 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. He played two seasons for the Breakers after they moved to New Orleans and Portland. It was very nasty," said student Felix Molina.The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus.Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave.Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. "I share in the collective shock and outrage regarding this incident.". And in Woburn, police are "investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team." Seven Woburn students charged in alleged locker room assaults on former football player, Read the original report: After Woburn football player endures multiple alleged assaults, parents left outraged by official response. 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.. The student who grabbed him in the classroom, he said, was a former Woburn football player. The investigation found Coucelos also was assaulted in his Spanish classroom by a former football player who accused him of snitching and was punched in a school bathroom by a student who chided him for not defending himself more forcefully during the locker room assault. KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. The family is asking for accountability from the school. Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment, or retaliation in any form, the school district said in the statement. Belcher, as the head coach, is responsible for the programs culture, according to specialists in student-athlete safety. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Haverhill High School is shutting down all football activities, canceling all future practices and forfeiting the Thanksgiving Day game, due to an alleged hazing incident involving some members of the school's team. Callanan said in an e-mail, I can reaffirm that I acted appropriately throughout my handling of the familys claims and that much of the information provided to you to date, and which you have printed, is inaccurate.. On Sept. 25, 2018, three years to the day Many Woburn residents have expressed anger that Belcher permitted three of the alleged assailants, including the player facing a possible indecent assault charge, to remain on the football team through a prestigious Thanksgiving week game at Fenway Park. 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. Andrews, a 2020 graduate of Endicott College, indicated his football experience was limited to Pop Warner and high school. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. He should have been fired., The Globe asked Belcher and other school officials to comment. He was attacked in the bathroom. His new school joined in seeking the waiver and injunction. Run by Black journalists at The Boston Globe, Black News Hour, a new radio program, delivers reliable news that connects with our community and expands on deeper issues impacting our city. It's not good for our school. It hurts him to this day. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. It's not good for our school. 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. Unfortunately, Lowells seniors wont be able to experience that joy of victory or agony of defeat. "The only game left on the 2022 Haverhill High football schedule was the Thanksgiving rivalry game against Lowell High School.The Haverhill School Committee was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. One has an additional "indecent assault and battery" charge. ", "The boys involved in this disgusting incident should be immediately permanently removed from the team," the mayor said in his statement. Peter Hahn, the attorney representing the Couceles family, said five high school students are facing charges for assault and battery for the September incident. "Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment or retaliation in any form," the message reads. Now, police are filing criminal charges against seven students accused of the assault. KYMA/CBS 13/KECY is an equal opportunity employer. Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta notified parents Wednesday that the school department is looking into misconduct involving some members of the high school football team. One football player was accused of indecent assault for allegedly yanking down Johnathans pants and touching his genitals in the locker room episode. It's been a turbulent few years for the Woburn football program. In response, Woburn school superintendent Matt Crowley issued a statement that said, I was informed by the High School administration that there was one allegation of bullying made against Coach Jack Belcher. "The Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. NEW! With Haverhill forfeiting the contest, Lowell will finish the season with a 4-7 record. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. Former Woburn High School football player Johnathan Coucelos said he was assaulted and bullied by teammates in the locker room, and the school did nothing to protect him. It was very nasty. 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. The 25 new centers are expected to ease the burden on emergency rooms for patients with behavioral health crises. Haverhill High School is shutting down all football activities, canceling all future practices and forfeiting the Thanksgiving Day game, due to an alleged hazing incident involving some members of the school's team. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. 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