The future of Sayreville War Memorial High School’s football program is in question after seven players were charged in relation to the hazing scandal that has rocked the borough.
With the criminal charges filed, Superintendent Richard Labbe said a longer suspension beyond the cancellation of the 2014 season might be warranted.
“Whether we have a football program moving forward is certainly a question in my mind,” he said. “Based upon the severity of the charges, I’m not sure.”
Labbe said he would begin the school district’s investigation by interviewing the coaches upon receiving permission from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Board of Education President Kevin Ciak said no official decision had been made about the possible indefinite suspension of the program, but it will be based on a consensus of the board as to whether the program has been able to rise above the current scandal.
“There hasn’t been an overall determination made regarding the future of the program,” Ciak said. “I think it’s safe to say that the Board of Education … is looking for an athletic program that is consistent with its values of commitment and character.”
Six of the players were detained on Oct. 10 on various charges, but their identities were not released because they are juveniles.
The seventh player, whose identity was also not disclosed, turned himself in to police on Oct. 11, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Three of the defendants were charged with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, conspiracy to commit aggravated criminal sexual contact, criminal restraint and hazing for allegedly engaging in an act of sexual penetration upon one of the juvenile victims.
One of those three and the remaining four juvenile defendants have been charged with various counts, including aggravated assault, conspiracy, aggravated criminal sexual contact, hazing and riot by allegedly participating in the attack of the remaining victims.
Between Sept. 19 and 29, “one or more juvenile defendants held the victims against their will, while other juvenile defendants improperly touched the … victims in a sexual manner,” according to a press release issued by the prosecutor’s office. State Sen. John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) called the allegations “disgusting” and questioned how the coaching staff could be unaware of the hazing in the locker room.
“The coaching staff either knew about this, or if they didn’t they should have known about it,” Wisniewski said. “I don’t understand how this kind of behavior can be carried out in a school building and there be absolutely nobody responsible in terms of … an adult supervising the situation.”
According to Wisniewski, the lack of oversight is indicative of the need for corrective action within the school.
“People need to be held accountable for their actions now,” he said.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey previously described the hazing as “widespread,” “pervasive” and generally accepted.
On the evening of Oct. 12, about 300 people attended a vigil at John F. Kennedy Park to support the victims.
After the brief rally, participants were asked to walk around the park as a group to support the Sayreville victims and all victims of abuse and bullying.