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. Many have lost sight of the fact that baseball players are not the only athletes that face this life threatening addiction. Berger says his friends persuaded him to stay off theteam. I want to thank my assistant coach who is the baseball expert. Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death The football players were unfairly penalized by the sanctions that were placed on the team. Both coaches still don't understand why they're being blamed for what happened last summer at Mepham High School's football camp. Mepham was known mainlyfor its wrestling program until Coach Mac arrived in1986. Because the National Football League sits on a higher platform, they bring in an exceptional amount of money compared to that, However, whenever hazing involves assaulting the victim, then it goes to another level. But its notthe only time I hear neighbors, even parents, floatthis notion. 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. "He said to him, 'Don't even think of sleeping at football camp. display: none; Theyre big football players who look andact like football players, says Jesse.Big and aggressive., The lineman was yelled at a lot,remembers another boy. 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. A minivan with two others whizzes by, music blaring. Reichstein called Didden, whose reply, according toReichstein, was that there was no hazing at Mepham,because if there were, wed cancelfootball season. (Didden and his attorney didnot return repeated calls.) Terms of Service apply. It was just too outrageous," says Jimmy. 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. And one of the leaders selected joined with two other varsity players to sodomize these children. When athletes experience head trauma, they only recover a little, which might end their career early or other times people never recover. Meanwhile, Nassau police on Monday found a found a cache of weapons near the school including baseball bats and golf clubs. maize high school basketball roster. That decision ''let down and insulted the victims and their families,'' the report says. Theyre sick of reporters, andtheyre worried about the lineman. Michelle Yeoh Promises No Swearing, Only Tears During Best Lead Performance Win. 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? For me, this challenge helped me develop as a person than will work harder and strive for the best in my academics. A problem arises though once try outs are over and the team is announced. Go to the back of theline.. Decent football player, though.. MaxPreps is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 2022 Fall Boys Football New York: Long Island Division II. He really was.". He never brought this incident toMcElroys attention; he must have brought it tothe JV coachs attention. 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. Weve been 0 and 8 since 1999!says James. So, no., But, you know, says McDermott, ifthey wanted to do it? Before lastmonth, Mepham High was generally known as anabove-average school with a robust athletic program.Fathers and sons have played for the Mepham Pirates,and Saturday football games are huge social events.The players are the schools heroes: With thepossible exception of Roone Arledge, Mephamsmost famous alumnus has been star Pittsburgh Steelersrunning back Amos Zereoue. Waiting outside in front of the hearseis a police escort, to ward off the media. And people who might have had the chance to prevent this incident are not being held accountable.''. It's, like, they're monsters," says Patty. High school coaches should not be required to give equal playing time to all players who make the team. Imagine your best friends making the school soccer team and you getting cut, because your not ready or there is no room. OK. On Bellmore Avenue, themain drag in town, a mile or so east of Mepham,Docs Pub serves as an unofficial class-reunionspace. It involved a fight amongteenage boys. "The question should not be the coaches should have known. "I don't want everything he's gone through to be just a waste. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, Chamber, mayors office are no match for the Thunderbolts. Just because someone shows up and participates, doesnt not mean they deserve the same treatment as everyone else. 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. Reichsteins wife,Kristina, then begged Didden to make an example of thelineman. No! "He came to me and said, 'I'm bleeding. Involuntary deviate sexualintercourse. Go ahead. The third player in the Mepham HS hazing scandal was sentenced to probation after he made a deal with prosecutors and provided information. When the victims came forward, the team closed ranks.Kids who were said to have witnessed the attacksrefused to talk, even though the longtime coach of thePirates, Kevin McElroyCoach Mac to anyone whoknows himwarned them that the season would endif they didnt come forward. 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. According to a local new report, two older students called the boy to the back of the bus and, in addition to the wedgie, punched the 13-year-old in the groin and stomach all as a part of an initiation ritual. Carol said it appeared Conway had sentenced Sofia to the boot camp because he disliked the teens attitude. some by the crimes, others by the cancellation of the season. When several parents received threatening letters after speaking out about the incident, emotions ratcheted higher. Not like Wesley Berger, Vic says.Hes overexposed.. "He didn't go to school for a long time. But other voices emerge at the meeting, corroboratingthe victims contention that hazing is a fact oflife at Mepham. At first, shock and disbelief prevailed. A player tried to flush his head in a urinal. #inline-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-a617c056-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Most of themare yelling. The 15-year-old wide receiver became the first female football player in Long Island history to score a touchdown Saturday night, when. ), I knew all those kids, saysanother boy, a JV player. However, it seems too important to let go. I need to see a doctor,'" says Carol. ", Patty says her son also hasn't recovered from the ordeal: "About a month ago, I had gotten a call from a neighbor. What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan shows just that. 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. 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. South Side. Theres a no-cut policy. Kids have come to practice Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday to get better, while their academics are suffering. And would you let it happen a second and third time? Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Mepham victims file suitCharge Central District officials knew about The public was barred from the hearing, but the penalties and the judges comments were disclosed by relatives of victims, lawyers and cops. "He made that statement and from that day on, he's been, his family, harassed by letters and threats," says Carol. Its all fun and games, saysMcDermott. This incident could have been foreseeable by the coaches, and possibly the administration, if the coach reported anything to the principal and athletic director. Dominick Novello, Mepham battle through tough conditions to advance to He was always in troubleat school, but not in football. 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? Touring the world with friends one mile and pub at a time; If three victims getanything close to that much each, it would devastatethe school districts budget. Still, they will be held accountable for what they did on some level, she added. Research shows that 70% of kids drop out of sports for many reasons and not making the team is one.