The Honeoye Boys Varsity basketball team will forfeit the rest of its games this year.School officials confirm several senior players have been suspended for 5 days over allegations of hazing on a bus ride home after a recent game. The varsity coach has been fired.
"We have received evidence of violations of our code of conduct that would constitute hazing," says a statement released by Superintendent David Bills. "We take hazing allegations very seriously and we will continue to gather information."
The alleged incidents occurred on a bus during a ride home from the game. A bus driver became so concerned about what was going on that he asked the coaches to intervene then went to the district when they did not.
The district would not describe the behavior, but 13WHAM News has learned it was administered to JV players by the varsity team.
"They call it hazing but it wasn't really hazing," says senior Brett Hodgeman who was a part of the team until recently and also came up through the JV system. Asked to explain he says "they were giving people wedgies and stuff."
Parents of the seniors met with Superintendent David Bills on Tuesday and learned of the punishment. Coach Jim Parshall who is not a teacher was fired.
The JV coach, Jordan Trowbridge, who said he voluntarily stepped down, told 13WHAM Parhall was an excellent coach adding, "No one wants to go out that way."
Erin Cratsley, mother of one of the suspended players, said, "It's a bit extreme ... I hate to say it's boys being boys, but it is ... They've been doing it for years."
The district has received no complaints from players or their parents. No one is alleging injuries and because of that the police are not involved at this time.
Brett Hodgeman who has ridden the team bus many times says "we played around and had fun with the JV. I really do think it was boys being boys."
Asked if he was in on this behavior as a JV team member Hodgeman says he "opted out" and says other players can choose to do so.
The district took action after reviewing video captured by security cameras on the school bus. That video has not been released. "We are investigating these matters thoroughly and will take all actions warranted," says the superintendent's statement.
