(13-WHAM, Jane Flasch)The Honeoye Boys Varsity basketball team will forfeit the rest of its games this year. School officials confirm five senior players have been suspended for 5 days over allegations of hazing on a bus ride home after a recent game. Two coaches have 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.
One parent who asked not to be identified expressed concern that the behavior was more than just boys having fun.
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.
