A.D. Caught On Camera Giving Middle Finger, Anonymous Source Distributes Picture To Teachers

October 19, 2012 /
The Oakland Press, Monica Drake

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2012/10/19/news/local_news/doc507fe8187b363950401600.txt

A picture of Detroit Catholic Central High School Athletic Director Aaron Babicz and his friend making an obscene gesture with their middle fingers was distributed to several teachers of the Novi all-boys school.

Someone anonymously printed the color photo on flyers with the caption, “Our AD what now???”

Babicz, 37, is taking this in stride, saying this taught him that educators are never really off the clock.

“Whoever sent it out, I obviously forgive. It was a lapse in judgment on my part. I understand the position I hold. I talk to our boys all the time about the pitfalls of social media and what can happen. This is just a great lesson for me to help mentor them,” said Babicz.

The school is currently trying to find out who gave these flyers to teachers, and, if something illegal had gone on, the school will prosecute the person to the fullest extent. The school’s principal, Father John Huber, called the anonymous act of sending the flyers to colleagues “evil” and “malicious” in an interview with WXYZ and says he forgives Babicz.

Read original story Catholic Central’s Athletic Director uses obscene gesture in photo that someone sent to teachers.

 Babicz publicly apologized to the students and staff of the school during morning announcements on Thursday.

“I admitted that I made a mistake. These guys are like my little brothers and I love this place. The last thing I would want to do is bring a negative light on Catholic Central,” he said. “I know the position I hold, and it’s a very important one — not only to our school but to me as well. I definitely didn’t want to let the boys or our community down.”

Babicz said the picture was taken over the summer, and his friend recently tagged him in the photo on Facebook. He said he didn’t have a chance to take it down.

“We live in a different day and age, and I just need to be smarter and more responsible,” he said. “This is a lesson I learned too. Everybody has to be careful; it doesn’t matter if you’re a teacher or an employee at a different job.”

Babicz, a 1993 graduate of the school, said the teachers received the photo on Monday afternoon, and it’s been a nerve-racking couple of days. He said he was shocked, disheartened and embarrassed when he found out this picture was made into flyers.

He said the whole school of 1,060 students is like a family, and several students have let him know they still support him.  

 “A lot of people have said to me, ’Let he who be without sin cast the first stone.’ I agree with that stuff, but I know I made a mistake, and I have no problem admitting that,” said Babicz. “I’m not going to stop walking around here with my chin up. That’s the example the boys need. They get challenged everyday, too. If I wilt underneath this, then I’m definitely not setting a good example for them.”


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