Seven members of the Sayreville, New Jersey, War Memorial High School football team were charged Friday night on multiple counts including aggravated sexual assault stemming from alleged attacks on younger players on the team, prosecutors said.
the usual homo-erotic ritualistic team/frat antics. Of course this stuff has gone on for decades all over but these guys got caught. Tell me the coach had no idea...
The next step for the seven teenage Sayreville football players charged tonight in the hazing scandal will be to appear before a Superior Court judge who oversees criminal cases involving juvenile defendants who are under the age of 18. ...
Additionally, the juveniles would have criminal records if convicted of the crimes in adult court and could be registered as offenders under Megan’s Law.
Six of the seven juveniles are currently being held by law enforcement authorities until a Family Court judge decides whether the youths should be held at a detention facility pending a court hearing or will be released to the custody of their parents or guardians pending the hearing. One of the teens has not yet been taken into custody.
Their identities were withheld because of their ages. The juveniles range in age from 15 to 17 years old.
The complaints filed today by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office charge that on various dates between Sept. 19, 2014, and Sept. 29, 2014, one or more of the juvenile defendants held the four victims against their will, while other juvenile defendants improperly touched the victims in a sexual manner. The victims were also juveniles. Link - ( New Window )
the usual homo-erotic ritualistic team/frat antics. Of course this stuff has gone on for decades all over but these guys got caught. Tell me the coach had no idea...
IMO Getting held down and sodomized has not gone on for decades all over. Hazing sure but with the advent of camera phones and lots more over sight things have changed a bit.
This isn't an isolated case but "all over" seems a bit broad for what went on there
It is not unusual for football coaches to be elsewhere Â
while players are in the locker rooms. It's not an excuse but football teams usually have 5-6 coaches at least. There needs to be at least one on the locker rooms.
teams across the country were underclassmen aren't sexually assaulted, a large number of the with hazing (some of it homo-erotic, yes) - I don't think this is the usual stuff.
It's sexual assault. What a humiliating experience for those victims, and what sickness on the part of the perpetrators. I HATE bullies of all sorts, but these kids, SMH. And this goes on all over...remember pictures of Marines (I think) sticking safety pins through the nipples of new recruits, and other sickness? It's all about power and control combined with, as said before, homoerotic themes and a desire to shame.
Hazing occurs in football and is designed to initiate the younger kids to be part of a team/family. This wasn't hazing and more like a humiliation on part of gang.
Hazing occurs in football and is designed to initiate the younger kids to be part of a team/family. This wasn't hazing and more like a humiliation on part of gang.
Since when has hazing actually made kids part of a team? It just shames them and puts the younger kids in their place, and then gets re-perpetuated year after year in order for the former victims to now experience power in the same way that they were previously made to feel shame and lack of power.
Kids find lots of other healthy ways to bring new members onto teams, all the way down to Little League. It's called friendship, mentoring, "I've got your back", any sort of welcoming that lets a new kid know he or she is accepted. You'll get a lot more productivity from newbies from that type of welcome than you would from intimidating them.
over the summer before the first practice a responsible coach would lay down the law to what is or is not acceptable behavior in terms that are crystal clear
Hazing occurs in football and is designed to initiate the younger kids to be part of a team/family. This wasn't hazing and more like a humiliation on part of gang.
Since when has hazing actually made kids part of a team? It just shames them and puts the younger kids in their place, and then gets re-perpetuated year after year in order for the former victims to now experience power in the same way that they were previously made to feel shame and lack of power.
Kids find lots of other healthy ways to bring new members onto teams, all the way down to Little League. It's called friendship, mentoring, "I've got your back", any sort of welcoming that lets a new kid know he or she is accepted. You'll get a lot more productivity from newbies from that type of welcome than you would from intimidating them.
Since when was it not part of joining a team? Sports, fraternities, sororities, etc have always had a tradition which is a bit uncomfortable yet all in good fun. The leaders, teammates and brothers welcome those initiated as they all share a bond. It's been around forever. This wasn't hazing though.
i don't get it. who the hell would stick their finger up someones butt Â
had it happen to them as freshman. While that is still no excuse and I agree they should be arrested, stopping there feels shallow. There should be adults held criminally responsible at least to some extent. I don't know the charges, maybe child endangerment, neglect something. These children were in their care. They were the adult responsible for their safety and they failed and allowed these assaults to take place as part of the organization they were heads of. It is likely this was happening for a long time, boys don't collectively just start doing something that extreme but instead it probably escalated over a period of years, learned and passed from one class to another. These coaches were in charge of the house of horrors and I don't believe for a second that they didn't have some idea of what was happening.
We agree that this has been probably going on from Â
at the feet of the adults here. I find me it hard to believe that coaches knew the extent and seriousness of what was going on and failed to address it. It defies logic. It may be that some adults need to be called to account, but let's see what the investigation brings before making claims that it was an institutional failing.
Maybe they didn't sit there and watch every detail Â
But they had to know something awful was happening and chose to either ignore or look the other way. I don't care what the reasoning, they failed these children and are responsible because the child's safety was their responsibility! Parents entrust their children into their care and they failed them so yes they should be blamed and held responsible.
blame the kids who did this. Seniors are 17/18 years old. They know right from wrong and how to hide the bad stuff from adults including coaches and parents.
RE: Very likely this has been going on for years and they Â
had it happen to them as freshman. While that is still no excuse and I agree they should be arrested, stopping there feels shallow. There should be adults held criminally responsible at least to some extent. I don't know the charges, maybe child endangerment, neglect something. These children were in their care. They were the adult responsible for their safety and they failed and allowed these assaults to take place as part of the organization they were heads of. It is likely this was happening for a long time, boys don't collectively just start doing something that extreme but instead it probably escalated over a period of years, learned and passed from one class to another. These coaches were in charge of the house of horrors and I don't believe for a second that they didn't have some idea of what was happening.
I played for the Bombers both as a freshman and Varsity. Granted it was 17 years ago but this stuff wasn't going on when I was there and it was the same coach, ect. The freshman team was rarely around the varsity so I don't understand what happened over the last few years.
a phenomenal coach and human being. I can't imagine he could have known any of this was going on. One article said the kids were running back to the locker room after practice and hitting the lights off and doing the hazing stuff in 2 minutes or less. Who knows. But this is mind blowing to me.
When you lead and develop young men and women... Â
One of the most important thing to exercise as a leader is proper supervision. That doesn't mean micromanaging as much as knowing what goes on around you. There was a total lack of supervision of we were to believe that the coaches had no idea what was going on.
other constantly. Yeah they probably crossed paths from time to time but its not like these kids were all in the locker room together day in and day out like the media is trying to portray. The freshman practiced on different fields and had completely different game times, Usually around 5:30. Im telling you, when I was there, the freshman rarely even saw the varsity teams.
Pretty fucking gross the things some of these guys did. Â
Nobody claims (that I'm aware of) that Joe didn't know. That's just plain factually inaccurate. He's condemned for knowing and "washing his hands" of it once reported to school superiors. The most common defense I've heard is that the saintly Joe in his decades on earth never once heard of pedophilia and could not conceptualize a man sodomizing a boy in his pristine brain.
Now whether or not the coaches had any knowledge of this remains to be seen. I'd like to think they didn't, but I don't have that much faith in humanity.
in a large number of those cases. I agree that it's been done for years, but I believe it's about power dynamics and putting folks in their place. There are tons of shallow bullies in the world who don't have "good fun" in mind for anyone but themselves and who direct their sadism at those who have lower status or are physically weaker than themselves.
I wasn't bullied myself, not did I ever bully anyone else. There are lots of other ways to bring others into a group. Many groups have fun initiations, while others have cruel and/or sadistic rituals. I think that the latter speak to personality characteristics of those developing the rituals, and are "not all in good fun" or designed to make everyone feel closer to each other.
Considering what happened, i can't say you're wrong. I can't quite grasp what occurred conidering the hazing i was part of, witnessed or heard of. This is off the charts.
Considering what happened, i can't say you're wrong. I can't quite grasp what occurred conidering the hazing i was part of, witnessed or heard of. This is off the charts.
Agreed. But I've seen lots that approach this but aren't quite assault...just still sick.
We can all do better. I did therapy in middle schools for a while, and the crap that 6th graders had to deal with from 8th graders twice their size was pathetic and infuriating. It wasn't condoned by school officials, but even other 8th graders had a choice to make -- either stand up to the bullies in their midst and risk being targeted themselves, or either sit passively or take part themselves in a cowardly but somewhat understandable act of self-preservation. What's been proven to be needed in those situations is for whole groups of "anti-bullies" to get activated and stand up for those weaker than themselves if schools are to put a stop to this. Some pretty cool anti-bullying programs have been initiated in recent years using those techniques, and where they have been they seem to be quite successful.
Off topic, I recognize, but interesting, I thought.
PARLIN, N.J. (AP) — The last of seven high school students facing sex crime charges amid a hazing investigation that canceled a New Jersey prep football team's season has surrendered to authorities.
Middlesex County prosecutors say the youth surrendered early Saturday, but declined to release further information due to the defendant's age.
The six other students, ranging in age from 15 to 17, were arrested Friday night in connection with the assaults at regional football power Sayreville War Memorial High School. Link - ( New Window )
in first comment on hazing scandal, says he is uncertain of his future'
In his first brief comment since a sexual hazing scandal upended the Sayreville football program, head coach George Najjar said today he is uncertain of his future with the team.
Najjar, reached by telephone at his Belford home, was asked if he would remain head coach of the Bombers, the team he has shepherded to three state sectional titles in the past four years.
“That’s a question I need to work out with the administration,” Najjar said.
The coach, who has headed the football program at Sayreville War Memorial High School for two decades, said he appreciates that members of the community want to hear from him on the hazing scandal, but he said he is not ready to talk.
“There will be a time and place when I have something to say, but now is not the time,” he said. “I need to sit down with the administration.” Read more: - ( New Window )
finger in the ass thing. I wouldn't think it was funny or cool to forcibly stick my finger in another boys ass. I certainly wouldn't want other people knowing about it.
Did someone say "you guys hold him down and I'll stick my finger in his ass"?
WTF is wrong with kids today.
Perhaps if he expressed concern for the kids who endured this... Â
or the kids now facing felony charges, he might have a better outcome when facing that administration. Or, more likely, had he expressed similar concern months ago there would be no scandal and nobody would be facing said administration.
It was no accident Friday that the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office charged seven Sayreville War Memorial High School football players for their role in a series of alleged sexual assaults, a parent of a player told NJ Advance Media Saturday.
It was no accident, the parent said, because the group of players involved in the extreme hazing ritual numbered seven, their son, a player at the school, confided.
Four players would pounce on a freshman, pinning him to the locker room floor. Two would provide lookout at the door. And one player would howl, cut off the lights and digitally penetrate the freshman. Link - ( New Window )
Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in! Â
According to NJ Advance Media, police were seen arriving at the homes of Sayreville senior team captains Myles Hartsfield, a star running back and safety who is committed to Penn State University, and Dylan Thillet, who played on the offensive and defensive lines. It is not known if either player was charged.
Thillet's mother, Madeline, said during last week's contentious school board meeting, during which dozens of players and their parents protested Labbe's decision to shut down the football program, "I was at the police station with him when they were questioning him. They were talking about a butt being grabbed. That's about it. No one was hurt. No one died. I don't understand why they're being punished."
Additionally, the juveniles would have criminal records if convicted of the crimes in adult court and could be registered as offenders under Megan’s Law.
Six of the seven juveniles are currently being held by law enforcement authorities until a Family Court judge decides whether the youths should be held at a detention facility pending a court hearing or will be released to the custody of their parents or guardians pending the hearing. One of the teens has not yet been taken into custody.
Their identities were withheld because of their ages. The juveniles range in age from 15 to 17 years old.
The complaints filed today by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office charge that on various dates between Sept. 19, 2014, and Sept. 29, 2014, one or more of the juvenile defendants held the four victims against their will, while other juvenile defendants improperly touched the victims in a sexual manner. The victims were also juveniles.
Link - ( New Window )
IMO Getting held down and sodomized has not gone on for decades all over. Hazing sure but with the advent of camera phones and lots more over sight things have changed a bit.
This isn't an isolated case but "all over" seems a bit broad for what went on there
Since when has hazing actually made kids part of a team? It just shames them and puts the younger kids in their place, and then gets re-perpetuated year after year in order for the former victims to now experience power in the same way that they were previously made to feel shame and lack of power.
Kids find lots of other healthy ways to bring new members onto teams, all the way down to Little League. It's called friendship, mentoring, "I've got your back", any sort of welcoming that lets a new kid know he or she is accepted. You'll get a lot more productivity from newbies from that type of welcome than you would from intimidating them.
Quote:
Hazing occurs in football and is designed to initiate the younger kids to be part of a team/family. This wasn't hazing and more like a humiliation on part of gang.
Since when has hazing actually made kids part of a team? It just shames them and puts the younger kids in their place, and then gets re-perpetuated year after year in order for the former victims to now experience power in the same way that they were previously made to feel shame and lack of power.
Kids find lots of other healthy ways to bring new members onto teams, all the way down to Little League. It's called friendship, mentoring, "I've got your back", any sort of welcoming that lets a new kid know he or she is accepted. You'll get a lot more productivity from newbies from that type of welcome than you would from intimidating them.
Since when was it not part of joining a team? Sports, fraternities, sororities, etc have always had a tradition which is a bit uncomfortable yet all in good fun. The leaders, teammates and brothers welcome those initiated as they all share a bond. It's been around forever. This wasn't hazing though.
I played for the Bombers both as a freshman and Varsity. Granted it was 17 years ago but this stuff wasn't going on when I was there and it was the same coach, ect. The freshman team was rarely around the varsity so I don't understand what happened over the last few years.
Not even close to this case.
Nobody claims (that I'm aware of) that Joe didn't know. That's just plain factually inaccurate. He's condemned for knowing and "washing his hands" of it once reported to school superiors. The most common defense I've heard is that the saintly Joe in his decades on earth never once heard of pedophilia and could not conceptualize a man sodomizing a boy in his pristine brain.
Now whether or not the coaches had any knowledge of this remains to be seen. I'd like to think they didn't, but I don't have that much faith in humanity.
No idea what you're typing about. Just don't see it.
I wasn't bullied myself, not did I ever bully anyone else. There are lots of other ways to bring others into a group. Many groups have fun initiations, while others have cruel and/or sadistic rituals. I think that the latter speak to personality characteristics of those developing the rituals, and are "not all in good fun" or designed to make everyone feel closer to each other.
Agreed. But I've seen lots that approach this but aren't quite assault...just still sick.
We can all do better. I did therapy in middle schools for a while, and the crap that 6th graders had to deal with from 8th graders twice their size was pathetic and infuriating. It wasn't condoned by school officials, but even other 8th graders had a choice to make -- either stand up to the bullies in their midst and risk being targeted themselves, or either sit passively or take part themselves in a cowardly but somewhat understandable act of self-preservation. What's been proven to be needed in those situations is for whole groups of "anti-bullies" to get activated and stand up for those weaker than themselves if schools are to put a stop to this. Some pretty cool anti-bullying programs have been initiated in recent years using those techniques, and where they have been they seem to be quite successful.
Off topic, I recognize, but interesting, I thought.
Middlesex County prosecutors say the youth surrendered early Saturday, but declined to release further information due to the defendant's age.
The six other students, ranging in age from 15 to 17, were arrested Friday night in connection with the assaults at regional football power Sayreville War Memorial High School.
Link - ( New Window )
In his first brief comment since a sexual hazing scandal upended the Sayreville football program, head coach George Najjar said today he is uncertain of his future with the team.
Najjar, reached by telephone at his Belford home, was asked if he would remain head coach of the Bombers, the team he has shepherded to three state sectional titles in the past four years.
“That’s a question I need to work out with the administration,” Najjar said.
The coach, who has headed the football program at Sayreville War Memorial High School for two decades, said he appreciates that members of the community want to hear from him on the hazing scandal, but he said he is not ready to talk.
“There will be a time and place when I have something to say, but now is not the time,” he said. “I need to sit down with the administration.”
Read more: - ( New Window )
The town is very much still recovering from sandy
I'm worried this will force the town into bankruptcy bc you know the litigation is going to fly, insurance in place or not
Lousy situation for a town that was reeling
Disgraceful
In comment 11912478 Chris in Philly said:
Did someone say "you guys hold him down and I'll stick my finger in his ass"?
WTF is wrong with kids today.
It was no accident, the parent said, because the group of players involved in the extreme hazing ritual numbered seven, their son, a player at the school, confided.
Four players would pounce on a freshman, pinning him to the locker room floor. Two would provide lookout at the door. And one player would howl, cut off the lights and digitally penetrate the freshman.
Link - ( New Window )
In some respects, IMO.
Thillet's mother, Madeline, said during last week's contentious school board meeting, during which dozens of players and their parents protested Labbe's decision to shut down the football program, "I was at the police station with him when they were questioning him. They were talking about a butt being grabbed. That's about it. No one was hurt. No one died. I don't understand why they're being punished."
Link - ( New Window )