Bridgewater-Raynham Superintendent Jacqueline Forbes confirmed Tuesday that wrestlers on both the varsity and junior-varsity teams have been suspended from playing until the investigation surrounding hazing allegations is completed.
Some say the move to discipline an entire team over the potential actions of a few is rare.
But Forbes says she is taking this “very seriously.”“The core values and mission of the B-R district are all about the well-being of our students, and it’s all about providing an excellent education in an environment that values the individual,” Forbes said Tuesday.
Bridgewater police said in an email release Friday that they, with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office, are investigating an incident that occurred at an athletic practice.
Since Friday, both police and school officials have yet to release any details about the allegations, citing an ongoing investigation.
But Friday night, head wrestling coach Jeff Francis confirmed he had been fired amidst hazing allegations, and at least one parent said her son – a team captain – has been suspended.
Forbes would not comment Tuesday on personnel matters or confirm that Francis had been fired or say how many students have been suspended.
Forbes did say Athletic Director Dan Buron and B-R Principal Angela Watson met with the JV team Tuesday to tell them their season had been suspended, at least until the investigation is over.
There are 48 students on the varsity and junior-varsity teams, according to an online roster.
“It is my hope that the students will be able to be reinstated,” said Forbes.
But that remains to be seen.
Forbes said if the allegations are true, expulsion is not out of the question.
A letter has also gone out to all parents of B-R wrestling students telling them of the team’s current suspension.
Spokesman for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Paul Wetzel said Tuesday that he was surprised by the school’s disciplinary actions.
Wetzel said in other cases of alleged hazing, such as allegations that surfaced at an Andover basketball camp held at Stonehill College last year, “most often the punishments have been individually delivered.”
“I can’t think of a school suspending a team’s participation for the season,” Wetzel said.
Wetzel said he has been a spokesman for the MIAA for the past decade, and remembers very few recent incidents of hazing.
He said that is probably because of increased awareness and new state regulations related to harassment and bullying, said Wetzel.
“Over the years, there’s been an emphasis that kids need to understand that some of the things that have gone on in the past as examples of rituals to emphasize bonding as teammates, may well be against the law now,” Wetzel said.
The MIAA provides courses for administration, as well as information for student athletes and their parents related to rules of conduct, which cover a variety of topics, said Wetzel, including state laws, alcohol and drug use, concussions, and hazing and bullying.
B-R is a member of the MIAA, and privy to the information available, said Wetzel.
Forbes would not comment Tuesday on what their policy entails, and whether students sign a code of conduct at the beginning of each season to be a part of a team.
Buron, the school’s athletic director, could also not be reached for comment.
As to the incident under investigation, B-R students say rumors are flying. And the seriousness of the matter is up for debate.
A sophomore from Bridgewater, Sarah Dyer, 15, said she spoke with one student on the wrestling team who said that’s all it is, is rumors.
“Nothing happened,” she recalled the student saying.
Others have heard different stories.
“All I know is that they’re blowing it up,” said 16-year-old Mike Keating, also of Bridgewater. “They’re making it sound like a big deal, but it’s really not.”
