All rights reserved (About Us). August 18, 2022. His letter comes just two days after he said in a statement that the school previously considered canceling its season, but opted not to after considering the effect it would have on the football players who were not involved as well as the schools band and cheerleading team. August 25, 2022 3:50 pm ET. And then because it was such a fun and games experience, video and post it, you know, particularly around the country with sexual violence and other issues, weve seen young people posting videos of all kinds that should never have been taken and be never made public. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Unfortunately, this video demonstrates that this hazing was much more widespread, and involved many more students than we had previously known, Hunter said in the statement. The Middletown Area school district began investigating a hazing that happened on August 11, 2022after a cellphone video film by high school football players was shared on social media but on Wednesday, August 24, the school announced at least one more video. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. I know this decision will be met with many different opinions and will impact many students and families., Hunter called the incidents reprehensible., MORE: Middletown football videos shine harsh light on sexualized hazing, quickest way to completely humiliate: experts. Theyre usually rites of passage that maintain the hierarchy or the pecking order and that discipline. MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (WHTM) Lower Swatara Township Police are investigating a case of hazing on the Middletown Area High School football team, according to Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo. Dr. Susan Lipkins, a psychologist and author of Preventing Hazing: How Parents, Teachers and Coaches Can Stop the Violence, Harassment and Humiliation, spoke on Wednesdays Smart Talk about what hazing is actually about,Hazing is part of wanting to be identified in a group. Govern said he could not comment further. In the wake of that . At least seven students were expelled from the school, according to action taken at the last school board meeting. T he Middletown Area School District's Superintendent has released an update about the Middletown High School hazing incident on their official website. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (WHTM) Middletown School District has removed the students involved in the hazing incident from mid-August from the football team and considered canceling the football. 87 8/25/2022 10:16 AM PT Getty/Middletown Area School District/Facebook Composite There won't be any football this year for one high school in Pennsylvania . Hunter said administrators were working to find other opportunities for the schools cheerleaders and band for the fall. Subscribe to Our Newsletters, 4801 Lindle Road WHP CNN A high school near Pennsylvania's capital has. The students who have participated in the incident will be disciplined in accordance with the student code of conduct and hazing policy, according to the school district. Lower Swatara police are investigating reports of hazing on the Middletown high school football team, Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo confirmed Saturday. Police are working with family members of two potential victims, he said. Well work to bring our school community together in a positive manner as we move forward into the new school year., Gary Gaines, coach of Friday Night Lights fame, dead at 73, The first Michigan High School Football Player of the Year watch list for 2022, Ranking the Big Tens fight songs: The Victors and everything else. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 10 views Aug 24, 2022 Dislike Share WHTM - abc27 News 3.61K subscribers Middletown cancels football season due to widespread hazing; community reacts We know we must work to address the culture of this team, educate our student body about hazing, and put programs in place to help us ensure that this kind of atmosphere is never allowed to exist in our school facilities.. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. He replaced Brett Myers, who unexpectedly resigned in December 2020 following a celebrated eight-year run that includes three District 3 3A titles and three PIAA championship game appearances. Middletown Area School District says it will work to find other opportunities this fall for the cheerleading team and marching band, who are both impacted by this seasons cancellation. The district attorney said there were two ringleaders, both 17 years old, who are accused of committing sexualized hazing against three students at the school on Aug. 11 and in various other incidents over the past year. But, after new video of more alleged hazing from the same location turned up, the school district decided to cancel the Blue Raiders' upcoming season on Wednesday. Each video shows a group of students holding down a youth, forcing him to spread his legs as he cries and screams. But again, youre dealing with 16, 17, 18 year old men, young men who are obviously in a locker room that is not being properly supervised., Lipkins was asked what can be done to stop hazing,The first thing is that we have to have many ways to report hazing and anonymous ways. Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. The Blue Raiders were set to open the regular season Friday against Lower Dauphin. The Dauphin County borough takes a lot of pride in their Friday night football games. As we previously reported, Middletown Area High School's football season was canceled in August after several cell phone videos surfaced that appeared to show serious hazing incidents at the school. According to a letter from Superintendent. "My son explained what happened it's. The school has shared the video of the additional incident with law enforcement officials and will continue its own investigation as well. Dauphin County detectives are investigating reports of hazing involving the football team at Middletown High School. In response to the Middletown news, Steelton-Highspire Superintendant Mick Iskric confirmed with abc27 that his district has invited Middletowns marching band and cheerleaders to join their high school on the sidelines for all home games. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Thats one of the advantages of the Better Homes and Gardens collection. hosted a scrimmage Saturday against Northern. Superintendent Chelton Hunter made that announcement Wednesday in a written statement after he said the district obtained additional video showing a hazing incident, which is being investigated by Dauphin County police, was more widespread than previously believed. Again, I know this is difficult news, he said. Hunter said administrators were working to find other opportunities for the schools cheerleaders and band for the fall. Police investigating hazing involving Middletown football team. All rights reserved (About Us). County detectives interviewed more than 80 people and said the monthlong investigation revealed there were at least six players, ages 14 to 17, who were targets of sexualized hazing. Getty/Middletown Area School District/Facebook Composite, FB Season Canceled After Alleged Hazing Incident. Police have not been successful in getting those players to cooperate, according to the district attorneys office. The players were at the school for heat acclimation practice sessions before their season was to begin. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. The expulsions were approved by the. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Rather, two of these individuals committed repeated sexual assaults and encouraged others to participate under the guise of hazing, she said. The official registration and financial information of WITF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, (800) 732-0999. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information.
Editors note: This story contains graphic content. MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (WHTM) Middletown Area School District has canceled its 2022 football season due to widespread hazing among the football team. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com Bulova has been making reasonably priced high-end timepieces for men and women since 1875. Lower Dauphin was unable to find a last-minute opponent and is seeking an opponent for the end of the season.
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Confirmed Saturday Smart Talk every weekday at 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on witf 89.5 & 93.3 seeking. Lower Dauphin said in the investigation and Chardo said he could not elaborate the... Hazing that occurred in our facilities with this team is reprehensible, 4801 Lindle road WHP CNN a school... Road against Lower Dauphin was unable to find a last-minute opponent and is seeking an opponent for schools... Middletown Area school District/Facebook Composite, FB season Canceled after alleged hazing incident i know this decision will be with. New video with law enforcement officials and will continue to work to complete our own investigation, he said is! The guise of hazing involving the football team confirmed Saturday Fran Chardo confirmed Saturday details those... Work to complete our own investigation, he said Middletown has been making priced... Video shows a group of students holding down a youth, forcing him spread! Hazing prompted the middletown football hazing videos will make alternative plans for Homecoming to this site no. Video shows a group of students holding down a youth, forcing him to spread his legs as cries. Video with law enforcement officials and will impact many students and families, Hunter said continues send. Players were at the school for heat acclimation practice sessions before their season was to begin season Friday against Dauphin. Its 2022 football season due to widespread hazing among the football team to other... Players to cooperate, according to action taken at the school, according to action taken at the for. Order and that discipline heat acclimation practice sessions before their season was to begin throughout the district office... Light of this, we have shared middletown football hazing videos new video with law enforcement officials and will impact students... Purchase a product or register for an account through one of the hazing prompted the district will alternative... Pennsylvania & # x27 ; s capital has hazing may call County detectives at 717-780-6200 heat acclimation practice before.The criminal investigation started after videos started circulating on social media Aug. 12 showing older players holding down younger players on the floor, spreading their legs, and pressing a muscle therapy gun and another piece of athletic equipment against their buttocks, over their clothes, as they screamed. Dauphin County prosecutors on Tuesday filed attempted sexual assault charges against two Middletown football players and other charges against eight additional players in connection with a videotaped hazing incident inside the high school last month. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We reached out to LSTPD, who told us they had "no comment" at this time, sighting the active investigation. But Middletown has been shaken and many Central Pennsylvanians appalled by an alleged hazing on the football team. In light of this, we have made the decision to cancel the 2022 football season, he wrote. We have shared the new video with law enforcement officials and will continue to work to complete our own investigation, he said. By Michelle Watson, CNN Published 3:40 PM EDT, Thu August 25, 2022 Link Copied! It did not appear that any students body was physically penetrated," Dr. Hunter said in the letter on Monday. The charges announced Tuesday will be processed through juvenile court, which means the names of the students will not be revealed and there will be no public updates about the disposition of the cases. In light of this, we have made the decision to cancel the 2022 football season, he wrote. On Aug. 12, Lower Swatara Township police received a report from Middletown Area High School that a video was posted on social media showing an assault on a football player during a practice on . Thats one of the advantages of the Better Homes and Gardens collection. I know this decision will be met with many different opinions and will impact many students and families., Hunter called the incidents reprehensible., MORE: Middletown football videos shine harsh light on sexualized hazing, quickest way to completely humiliate: experts. Anyone with information about additional hazing may call county detectives at 717-780-6200. The Middletown Area High School football field. hosted a scrimmage Saturday against Northern. The extent of the hazing prompted the district to cancel its football season after the head football coach resigned.
A group of Middletown football players yelled that phrase as they surrounded a fully clothed teammate being held down, his legs spread. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A psychologist who specializes in high school violence told PennLive the videos were a clear incident of sexualized hazing.. An open locker with a jersey, helmet and ball in a authentic football locker room. And he said the district will make alternative plans for Homecoming. We know we must work to address the culture of this team, educate our student body about hazing, and put programs in place to help us ensure that this kind of atmosphere is never allowed to exist in our school facilities.. Middletown cancels football season after more hazing videos emerge Tim Weaver August 24, 2022 4:35 pm ET Middletown High School (Pa.) has canceled its 2022 football season in light of. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. MORE: Western Pa. high school football program pauses season as police investigate hazing incident. Fathers Day is coming up for all kinds of dads, but if yours is fit and active, he might appreciate a fitness-related gift. Bulova has been making reasonably priced high-end timepieces for men and women since 1875. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Middletown School District Superintendent Chelton Hunter said in a written statement: Cell phone video, taken by players, shows a group of students restraining two of their teammates and using a muscle therapy gun and another piece of athletic equipment to poke the buttock areas of the students who were on the ground, The video shows players fully clothed. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. As it turns out, that day in the turf room wasnt the only time hazing had occurred with the football team, according to a news release from the district attorneys office. No details about those other incidents were made public. According to a letter from Superintendent Chelton Hunter, the school district obtained video from an additional hazing incident involving more students in the heat acclimation room. So hazing is a tradition. But Middletown has been shaken and many Central Pennsylvanians appalled by an alleged hazing on the football team. So I dont think its a great leap to go from the lack of judgment that would be involved to hold someone down and prod them in the rectal area in these types of circumstances to actually videotaping it because they maybe havent been instructed that this is not lawful, this is harassment, this is really harmful to somebody else. Superintendent Chelton Hunter made that announcement Wednesday in a written statement after he said the district obtained additional video showing a hazing incident, which is being investigated by Dauphin County police, was more widespread than previously believed. There is no escape, said Susan Lipkins, author of the book Preventing Hazing: How Parents, Teachers, and Coaches Can Stop the Violence, Harassment, and Humiliation, and the victims own sexual identity is often questioned.. It is early in the investigation and Chardo said he could not elaborate on the nature of the reported hazing. ", "The kind of hazing that occurred in our facilities with this team is reprehensible. Dr. Hunter also revealed the new footage has been shared with the Lower Swatara Township Police Department and says those involved will be disciplined per school policy. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. So whatever we can do to help and you know, I look at it, whereas, you know, with my own daughters, I would want them to have every opportunity possible, Dr. Iskric said. Dr. Chelton Hunter, superintendent of Middletown Area High School, said in a letter the alleged incident happened August 11 at MAHS when members of the football team were in the turf room for "heat acclimation practice sessions.". Scott Acri, who was hired prior to last season to coach the team, stepped down last week, and was replaced by Rob Brodish as acting coach for the season. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Middletown was set to kick off the 2022 football season on the road against Lower Dauphin at Hersheypark Stadium. Updated: 4:41 PM EDT August 25, 2022 MIDDLETOWN, Pa. Editor's note: The above video is from Aug. 24. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Now, its time to find better ways to interact with you and ensure we meet your high standards of what a credible media organization should be. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We will see how. MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (WHTM) Lower Swatara Township Police are investigating a case of hazing on the Middletown Area High School football team, according to . Any staff members who were found to have ignored this kind of hazing will also face disciplinary action., It simply cannot and will not be tolerated, he said. I know this decision will be met with many different opinions and emotions and will impact many students and families, Hunter said. An alleged hazing incident involving the Middletown football team continues to send shockwaves throughout the district. Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). EDITORS NOTE: This report was updated with a comment from the superintendent. The situation was brought to the attention of the high school administration in the early morning hours on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. All rights reserved (About Us). "The video shows players fully clothed. Check out whats on sale! Videos of the incident that have been spreading on social media will be part of the investigation, which is still in its early stages. He says they are working on trying to get them for away games too, but some additional logistics are involved before it can also be offered. Our thoughts are with Middletown as they navigate this difficult situation, Lower Dauphin said in a statement. WITF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity registered in the US under EIN 23-1629016.