New Trier Lacrosse Hazing Probe Prompts Removal Of Longtime Coach

WINNETKA, IL — New Trier High School administrators replaced the longtime coach of the boys lacrosse team in response to a hazing scandal.

Tom Herrala had coached for New Trier for 25 years and spend the last 13 as head coach of the boy's lacrosse team.

Herrala coached the team to 12 state championships, five second-place finishes and was recognized as coach of the year in 2019 by both the Illinois High School Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

In March, a video of a violent hazing incident involving a group of varsity lacrosse players at an off-campus party came to the attention of school officials after it was shared among community members.

Police said that no charges would be filed, and juvenile records laws prevent the release of further information. School officials said the program would be placed on probation for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

"The behavior that our investigation has uncovered is appalling, and we are working to ensure it will never happen again," Superintendent Paul Sally, Winnetka campus Principal Denise Dubravec and Athletic Director Augie Fontanetta said in a March 31 joint statement.

On Aug. 31, school officials announced the hiring of Adam Dickson, who since 2017 has been the team's defensive coordinator, to succeed Herrala.

Dickson played college lacrosse for Salisbury University, the NCAA Division III champions, and the next year captained the first Division II team fielded by the University of Tampa, according to school officials.

“We are excited to name Adam Dickson to lead our Boys Lacrosse program,” Fontanetta said last month. “Adam has a wealth of experience developing New Trier’s defensive and offensive strategies and drills, and he will provide a smooth transition for members of our lacrosse team.”

Herrala is set to continue coaching with the Junior Trevians Lacrosse program, which he launched last year and is affiliated with the Wilmette Park District.

Herrala said he saw the video in question about 10 days after getting an email from a community member alerting him about it, Pioneer Press reported.

The coach told the paper he had issued warnings about hazing to his players during practice, describing the video as "horrible and a lot worse [than] what was explained to me." He described feeling disbelief, anger and disappointment with the process that led to his ouster.

Herrala told the Record North Shore that he was placed on administrative leave after he called for a player to be removed from the team due to his involvement in hazing. He said he was assisting administrators with their investigation at the time.

School officials have not revealed if any other staff faced discipline, and a joint message from administrators in April only mentioned potential discipline for students.

"While we cannot discuss the discipline of specific students, we want you to know that such actions have significant consequences," it said.

School officials have previously declined to comment on the circumstances of Herrala's departure, citing personnel issues. In response to a Patch public records request, district officials said no employees or contractors had been reprimanded nor placed on leave.

"Further, as a result of the investigation into off-campus student misconduct by the lacrosse team," Associate Superintendent Chris Johnson said, "the District found no evidence of the coaches’ involvement or knowledge of the hazing incident that occurred in April 2022."

Related: 'Appalling' Hazing Lands New Trier Boys Lacrosse On 2-Year Probation