NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- A high school on Long Island canceled the rest of its boys varsity soccer season due to “systematic and ongoing” hazing in the program.
Sayville Public Schools Superintendent Marc Ferris sent a letter to parents Thursday informing them of the decision, which pertains to Sayville High School.
The letter, obtained by Newsday, states that an internal investigation found that members of the boys varsity soccer team were participating in off-campus hazing that “included acts of violence and humiliation towards younger players on [the] team.”
Ferris, in an interview with Newsday, said that a prior investigation uncovered hazing behavior that contained “forms of racism and antisemitisim” in at least one of the team’s previous seasons.
“Those incidents had nothing to do with the current team. However, in our letter to the community we felt it was important to let everyone know what we uncovered in both situations is not acceptable in our schools,” Ferris told Newsday.
Ferris referred to those involved in the hazing as “aggressors” and noted that it was “equally concerning” that victims felt uncomfortable reporting the misconduct.
“It is our obligation as a school district to hold those who participated accountable and to send a strong message to our entire school community that hazing, discrimination, bullying, racism or antisemitism of any kind, in any possible form or Forum, is completely unacceptable and intolerable,” the letter said.
The team, with an overall record of 5-9, had only two games remaining in the season.
Sayville School District has not released the names of any students involved in the incidents or any additional disciplinary actions they will face.
1010 WINS/880 WCBS spoke with Ferris who had no additional comment beyond clarifying that the prior incident noted in this article – which included elements of racism and antisemitism – was not related to this current team or the early conclusion of this season. That incident occurred over four years ago, but was addressed with the community as it has just come to light.