Andover Students to Face Disciplinary Actions for Alleged Hazing Incident in Easton

Students will face a variety of repurcussions as a result of an investigation into at a basketball camp last July at the facilities of , Andover Superintendent Marinel McGrath stated.

Marinel McGrath released a statement (see PDF) recently that said there were violations of school policies in connection with the alleged incident.

"I am saddened to report that the investigation has concluded that there were violations of the policies," said McGrath in the press release. "I am prohibited by federal and state laws from disclosing information about individual student discipline. I can tell you, however, that in the case of violations of our anti-bullying and anti-hazing policies, our school district policies permit a range of disciplinary actions which include suspension and expulsion from school."

While the superintendent said that individual punishments would be kept confidential, the Eagle Tribune is reporting that two individuals will be expelled from school and five others will be kicked off the basketball team.

There was no mention of any Andover public school employees facing punishments or repercussions from the allegations but McGrath did say they would be investigating that end.

"We will address, separately, the involvement by any Andover Public Schools employees in connection with these allegations," said McGrath.

Athletic director Chris Bergeron sent out a letter to parents (see PDF) stating that he would be suspending players as a result of these hazing allegations.

"After consultation with Superintendent Marinel McGrath and Andover High School Principal Thomas Sharkey, I intend to suspend student-athletes from participation in the Andover High School 2011-2012 athletic program for varying periods of time due to apparent violations of Andover High School athletic policies and rules," Bergeron wrote in the letter.

Allegations state that two Andover High basketball team members pushed two younger members of the team to eat a cookie with bodily fluid on it, according to area news reports. The alleged incident occurred at the Hoop Mountain basketball camp held at Stonehill over July.

Easton Police said they were investigating the incident and Stonehill saying the camp would no longer be allowed to use the school's facilities.