The two boys join their sister tobring the Communion offerings forward as the mournerssing Be Not Afraid.. 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 . The way they walked? 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. Amos scored 29 touchdowns in hisjunior year and broke all of Long Islandsrushing records. 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. . If such a policy had been in place, one of the attackers would not have been allowed at the camp, the report says. During his career, the prolific actor inhabited an array of troubled characters. Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. Long Beach 2022 on Oct 15, 2022, Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. Sewanhaka 2022 on Oct 29, 2022. Vic and Kristina have done The Early Show and20/20. The Biden administrations policy of blocking unvaccinated people from the country continues to make little sense. 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 "These boys were like 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 4 inches, and roughly 250 lbs. That, thelineman says, is the kind of man his father was. 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. High school coaches should not be required to give equal playing time to all players who make the team. "We're not suggesting anything about injuries. Murdaugh defense team plans to appeal conviction We're checking it off. However, it seems too important to let go. 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. He suggests that broomsticks,golf balls, and pinecones are consistent withtraditional forms of hazing. This has allowed more and more players to look to PEDs in order to gain an edge over their opponents. Diasparra cut a deal and received probation. It was just too outrageous," says Jimmy. 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. But its notthe only time I hear neighbors, even parents, floatthis notion. Theres fury and finger-pointingandopportunityon all sides in this corner of LongIsland. He's back home on Long Island. It would be the adventure of his life five days of intense football in the woods of Pennsylvania. It looks like a tasty treat for any high school football fan. Now the Reichsteins have written the stateDepartment of Education, demanding an investigation. "My son came forward, did something that he did not want to do. But the grand jury did not find the coaches criminally negligent. McElroy was practically a secondfather to Zereoue when the running back moved to ahome for wayward boys in Bellmorearriving, toMephams good fortune, at the start of hishigh-school career. Should a person get paid just for showing up for there a job and not actually doing anything? I cried," says Carol, who asked her friend, Jim Rullo, to make a speech on her behalf. "There were no screams. But the happy boys these parents sent to camp last summer didn't return that way. Was there anything that indicated they were injured or traumatized? The question has whirled aroundBellmore for weeks: Who would raise a child who woulddo this to another child? Mepham High School Football Coach Anthony Cracco's Sex Scandal Has Bellmore . The issue of blame, however, continues to polarize parents and promises to loom larger as the criminal case moves ahead. For many years, people have been debating about whether sports teams for kids should have selective tryouts. JUDGE SLAMS MEPHAM HAZERS By Erin Calabrese January 15, 2004 5:00am A Pennsylvania judge imposed strong penalties yesterday on two teens who sexually abused younger players at a high school. Mepham High School football hazing case tore Long Island apart in 2003. He had his little list. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us. 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. Over the next few days, the broomstick assaults were repeated. 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. At this point, though, those feelings have mostly worn off, replaced by a different set of reactions, from weary resolve to dark humor. A day later, the threeboys were suspended, and a student demonstrationerupted behind the schoolto the delight of theTV crews camped out there. He triedseriously to treat him as a regular kid, like nothingever happened. 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. 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). There were no screams like that.". "Standing up and giving a 'rah, rah' when my son and the other boys are hurting in this way is so disrespectful. Most students, the girls say, have not gotten caught up in the anger and recrimination that have divided their parents. I notice when they're injured. A pack of teenagers congregates across the street from Mepham High School, smoking their . *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. 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. Soon after the first revelations of the attacks, the Reichsteins reached out to newspapers and television stations with their story. We have more wealthy backgrounds, saysDanny. Students ''don't know who to blame,'' said Allie. At first, shock and disbelief prevailed. College athletics are oftentimes not as glamorous as one would think. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 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. In practice, theyd put meon the B squad and Id tear up the Asquad. He says he stayed on the team for twoyears but was allowed on the field only once,returning a kickoff 50 yards. Everything Everywhere All at Once has won in every category they were nominated for. The sexual assaults that occurred last summer among members of a Long Island high school football team sprang from old traditions of violent hazing that coaches and school officials could not curb, according to a report handed up yesterday by a Pennsylvania grand jury. Mepham was known mainlyfor its wrestling program until Coach Mac arrived in1986. My sons not. Now, McElroy and Junior Varsity Coach Art Cannestro exclusively tell their story to 48 Hours. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. On 11/4, the Mepham varsity football team won their home playoff game against Elmont Memorial (Elmont, NY) by a score of 14-7. And coming in, you expect it.Youre ready for it., From what I heard, the guys stuck his head inthe toilet, and that was it. 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. Hisfriend was a captain on the team, he maybe was gonnaget a scholarship. Children have strived for years to make their parents, teachers and coaches proud of them. 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. Heresisted, and according to his version of events, heremembers a JV coach telling him to roll with it. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ''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. Wesley?Wesley was a nasty rat bastard! And he's looking for something in the house to hurt himself.' No!! . Mysons season has been completely fucked up! At this point, the victims would have already suffered numerous attacks. Also it brings down students self esteem. What LAppartement 4F Co-owner Ashley Coiffard Put on Her Wedding Registry. All rights reserved. Ke Huy Quan Continues His Winning Streak at the Independent Spirit Awards. The incident angered the victim's mother, who. Hasan Minhaj Brings His Powerpoints and Power Suits to Independent Spirit Awards. This story has been shared 140,209 times. Know what is expected andacceptable. Be responsible. We love our children. On 11/11, the Mepham varsity football team won their neutral playoff game against Long Beach (NY) by a score of 14-0. But they dont want to appearself-serving, he says. One student lifts up another and dumps him, legs flailing, in a bush. Anyone can read what you share. 28 - 13 W. 10/22/2022. Still, they will be held accountable for what they did on some level, she added. I want to thank my assistant coach who is the baseball expert. A day later, the threeboys were suspended, and a student. 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. I need to see a doctor,'" says Carol. The parents are organizing to demand that the school administration be held accountable for allowing the incident to occur, they said. The boy was a member of the 2007 Charlton County High School junior varsity golf team. MEPHAM COACHES BOOTED IN HAZING SCANDAL News MEPHAM COACHES BOOTED IN HAZING SCANDAL By Kieran Crowely November 6, 2003 5:00am Hugged by his team captain and cheered by supporters, Mepham. "He was laying in bed with a big butcher knife in his hand 'cause he was scared. So it just goes on and on. . Were more Jewish! another kidyells, laughing. This is hard tosayI know he was a good coach and a lot of kidsliked him. 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. Instead, they were treated as juveniles. "Not once. Rick Scott Is Unfortunately Right About Novak Djokovic. At 1:21 p.m. last Friday, the Mepham High School football and cheerleading squads should have rushed onto Mepham's field for a We as coaches donot see this incident as hazing, he said,but as a criminal act., Coach Mac has an attorney, Joseph Rosenthal, who isshifting the blame right back to the parents.The coach is a very dedicated, sincereperson, the lawyer says. It was horrible. "We went out. "Everybody says we should just know. 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.". Coach Mac talked to my mom, convinced us tostay. The Nassau Conference II showdown between these two unbeatens has . By the end of three exciting days in Atlantic City, 14 champions will emerge at the NJSIAA/Rothman Orthopaedics State . "And if you had a broomstick stuck up your rectum, you'd be screaming and fighting forever to make sure that didn't happen, wouldn't you? When several parents received threatening letters after speaking out about the incident, emotions ratcheted higher. Once rated one of the best academic high schools in the nation, Mepham High is now mired in scandal. Imagine your best friends making the school soccer team and you getting cut, because your not ready or there is no room. The emotional impact on him is unbelievable," adds Carol. "He [my son] called several times. She says Didden said no twice.Thats when Vic stood up and called Didden aliar. What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan shows just that. If three victims getanything close to that much each, it would devastatethe school districts budget. And I can't ever get that back from him," says Patty. 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. 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. 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. "He made that statement and from that day on, he's been, his family, harassed by letters and threats," says Carol. "We have a clip of the JV football scrimmage," says McElroy, who believes it proves that there was nothing obviously wrong. On September 17, the Bellmore-Merrick Central HighSchool District Board of Education canceledMepham's football season. Yeah, that shit gotfreakin blown up. Berger says his friends persuaded him to stay off theteam. Youve got some Janning to do! At least one group of parents has decided they will continue to speak out. Instead, thevictims were laughed at in the halls, calledfaggot and broomstick boy.The superintendent, Thomas Caramore, shielded theschool from inquiries at first. He gave his son a cellphone. At last nights meeting, one player called the coaches caring role models, and team captain Dan Cosenza hugged McElroy. McElroy hadnothing to do with this kid, Joe Rosenthalsays. The guy grabbed me in front of the wholeteam, Berger says. You may notstart, but youll be on the team.. According to the report, ''a lack of accountability appears to permeate the entire structure of the administration and running of this camp program.'' According to her, Didden said he wouldinvestigate the incident. We got the ball first on kick off and we made a touchdown on the first few drives.On. The issue spans to not only the professional level, but the high school and collegiate divisions as well. Also, sleep-away sports camps will no longer be authorized by the school district, Billig said. Your sonwoo hoo!Hes having fun. ''It's got to end here. As well as rebuking the attackers, the report criticizes the school system and the Pennsylvania judge who handled the cases. He wrestled instead. 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. Students attend a pep rally at Mepham High School in Bellmore, N.Y. 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 reallycouldnt do anything about it. On October 6, heannounced that that was his intention. The 15-year-old wide receiver became the first female football player in Long Island history to score a touchdown Saturday night, when. MERRICK, N.Y. On a crisp autumn night, hundreds packed a school auditorium, but not for a pep rally, for Mepham High School's football season was canceled before it even began. Sports in Mepham isvery big.. How could we have known?". He said his surgery was a success, but he needs time to heal before he can tour again. Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. South Side 2022 on Oct 22, 2022. 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. When athletes experience head trauma, they only recover a little, which might end their career early or other times people never recover. 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). In an earlier proceeding, the three attackers, charged as juveniles, admitted to the assaults. A perfect example would be a 13-year-old Georgia student riding a school bus received a wedgie during a school hazing incident so painful that his mother took him to the emergency room. It's, like, they're monsters," says Patty. Carol said it appeared Conway had sentenced Sofia to the boot camp because he disliked the teens attitude. Terms of Service apply. He never judged us, saysDave Lohman, class of 94. Anotherparent, Jim Rullo, delivers a prepared statement onbehalf of the victims families. Now when they talk about Mepham, they use the wordssodomy and hazing. Watch this highlight video of the Mepham (North Bellmore, NY) football team in its game Recap: Mepham vs. MacArthur 2022 on Nov 4, 2022. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. But it really happened., McElroys lawyer vehemently denies almost everyaspect of Bergers story. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. They demanded that the boy be barred from camp but were rebuffed, they said. The grand jury has been investigating the attacks for months to determine whether the coaches should be indicted and what led to the assaults. It is understandable that everyone can not make the team but it is a terrible thing to cut children by telling them they did not have enough room on the team or are not ready to be on it. The football players were unfairly penalized by the sanctions that were placed on the team. Sofia was sent to a boot camp, and Carney was sent to a juvenile detention center. Broomsticks dipped in mineral ice, a kind of liquid heat, golf balls, pine cones and toothbrushes, were all pushed into the boy's rectums. Two of the kids are underclassmen, littlekids, he says. In 1994, Wesley Bergerwas a Mepham freshman, a football player with a shelfof trophiesMVP for the peewee league,fastest-runner and best-tackler awards. Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix have broken up after he allegedly cheated on her with Raquel Leviss. That kid wassick! says a player named Rob. Who? We've received your submission. Half that shit they didisnt even that bad.. All five lost their coaching positions. At Mepham High School on Long Island, the entire football season was canceled after players admitted to sadistically hazing fellow teammates. Doyou know who I am?, The freshman, trying to show a little backbone,replied: This is America. He was one of four captains chosen by CoachMac his senior season. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. When trying to become a professional athlete, one must start playing sports as early as possible (Ferguson 34).Playing sports comes with many sacrifices. When members of a high-school football team on Long Island were accused of sexual attacks, the community was appalled . Kids and adults are then forced to take a side on the issue for the good of the school and the safety of the children. The team did it along with some guidance from my assistant coach and the parents. He knows the mainkid, she says. After the coacheswent to sleep in their own cabin, at least threemembers of the team, ages 15, 16, and 17, allegedlyrubbed heat-producing mineral ice on broomsticks,pinecones, and golf balls and used those items topenetrate at least three freshman players while therest of the boys in the cabin all bore witness. Then came the civil suit, settled for apaltry sum, to cover medical bills.Berger got threatening letters: Keep singing,Berger, and youll see.. Ken Carney, 16, the ringleader of the attacks, was well-known by school administrators as a disciplinary problem. The coaches, who slept in a cabin away from their players, said they knew nothing of the violence until a parent complained to school officials. It devastated us. Thelinemans fathers death on October 5created one delay in moving the case forward; otherdelays have been due to the attorneys effortsto bring the case back to juvenile status, and tonegotiate their clients surrender into custody. In that case, new players at. The star lineman towersover most of the other pallbearers. The coaches, however, say that, in attempt to deal with Carney's threats to another member of the team, they put Reichstein's son in the cabin closest to them, and asked an upperclassman to keep an eye on both boys. But the school board was unswayed by the coaches defenders. Everybody knew I got hazed in the lockerroom, he says. no.". But even those who are, still have an astonishingly low chance at making the professional leagues. "He didn't go to school for a long time. Rullo, now a community activist for change in his school district, says he received numerous letters and phone calls, including one that said that he and his family would die. "Am I an evil person? The group, which calls itself Mepham Parents 4 Change, consists of eight families, but says it is quickly gathering support. Tell me why I should just know? He was riding the bus along with varsity members, who held him upside down. We're in education because we love kids.". As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. He was dyingto play for the Pirateshed gotten AmosZereoues autograph when Zereoue visited hisjunior high. The answer to all those questions is no.". Everyone should be so lucky.''. No! Those kids are running at full speed. It has been 11 years since three football players, ages 15 to 17, from Mepham High School in Bellmore, New York, were criminally charged with sodomizing teammates during a preseason. This was a sexual attack!, Are we gonna argue about this? And he told us that they were keeping them up. 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. I ask. "The bottom line is, if we did anything wrong, we wouldn't be sitting here talking to you," says Cannestro. Pertzborn and assistant coach Brad Rogeberg were made aware of the initial bullying on July 24, 2022, according to the police report. The coach told Bergerhe needed a physical. However, some would argue to say high school football is too dangerous to keep around. Nassau County Girl Scouts fundraise for victims of quake in Syria, Turkey at Masjid Hamza, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. 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. Which mayexplain why Coach Mac, in his only public statement,has concurred with Caramore. Research shows that 70% of kids drop out of sports for many reasons and not making the team is one. 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. Mary explodes. Hes been introuble before, that kid. 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. The transition to college is not a walk in the park, but add a rigorous summer conditioning program, two-a-days everyday, and the pressures of coaches you have yet to impress, and you have a recipe for disaster. They hit his headon the porcelain and he got a concussion. 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. Clutching their schoolbooks in their arms, Allie and Sarah said they actually felt tremendous pride in their school these days. 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. The superintendent, while admonishing the team for notcooperating with the investigation, has also putforward a tidy defense of McElroy and the principal,Didden. 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. But my son says nobody knew he would cross theline., Andys son plays lacrosse. #inline-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Of course this thing escalated tosodomy, Berger says. asks McElroy. OK. 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. 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. The kid that did it, I feel so bad forhim, the boy says. He was benched for two years as the lawsuit creptthrough the legal system. Although some parents claim that their child has felt so defeated by an unsuccessful tryout that they dont want to continue with the sport, this is not always what happens. A minivan with two others whizzes by, music blaring. Thepurported ringleader, according to police, was thelineman. } The priest declares that the father had nothingbut life ahead of him. 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). On a Friday morning in August, 60 kids were droppedoff for the bus ride to Pennsylvania. He said, 'Well, your son was just online and saying he can't take it anymore. Does heknow this for sure? They also understand they will need to sacrifice time, energy, and their social life in order to achieve these goals. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Whos going to give him thatmoney now? When Patty and Jimmy's son came home, he told them he had been sodomized, too. Including intelligent heated gloves, soothing foot rollers, and classic cabbage-shaped servingware. Im theprincipal, he said, and Illdecide who can go on the trip. The lineman wasallowed to go to camp. How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh Kids have come to practice Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday to get better, while their academics are suffering. The Bellmore-Merrick school boards decision not to rehire the coaches next year has taken a stake and driven it right through the heart of the community again, said head coach Kevin McElroy. And who you can expect to see performing and presenting. Including dishwasher-safe Japanese porcelain, two sets of French-made knives, and a sleek kettle. "He's victimized because I asked him to do a favor in this. This guysstill the head coach., Its a fact of lifein Bellmore and Merrick that the farther south you go,the more money youll find. In my opinion, a good education is so very important for our countrys youth, especially the athletes. ", Are they lying? 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.
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