Paige Magee takes part in an Oct. 12 vigil held at John F. Kennedy Park in Sayreville in support of student athletes who were the victims of alleged hazing. MATT DENTON 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 of Schools 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,” the superintendent 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 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,” he 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.
Local resident Maureen Jenkins, who said the event was focused on healing, organized the vigil.
“We came here especially for the four young men who are victims,” she said. “To come forward took guts and courage, and thank you to the one true friend who came forward and spoke for others who couldn’t. Stand with us as we support each other and look to the future.”
Several local clergymen and politicians attended the event, which led to the creation of the Sayreville Coalition of Community Leadership, whose aim is to “move the community forward.”
The coalition also includes Mayor Kennedy O’Brien and former mayors John McCormack and James Zagata, as well as Jenkins, the Rev. Thomas Ryan of Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church and the Rev. Kenneth Murphy of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church.
“Over the past few days, Sayreville has been hurt [and] has been embarrassed,” according to an Oct. 11 statement issued by the coalition. “This is a time to come together and to pray, as we rebuild and focus on the future.
“Our group is focused on healing. To that end, we stand together as a resource for the people of Sayreville.”
The mayors of Old Bridge and South Amboy, Owen Henry and Fred Henry, also attended the vigil to express their support.
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.