LI Volleyball Coach At All-Girls Catholic High School Accused Of Raping Player, 15: Cops

LONG ISLAND, NY — A volleyball coach at an all-girls college preparatory Roman Catholic high school on Long Island has been accused of sexually assaulting one of the players, Nassau police said.

Jason Maser, 22, of Syosset sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl while employed as the volleyball coach for Sacred Heart Academy in Cathedral Gardens, and B & B Volleyball, which offers competitive volleyball, according to police.

The assaults happened on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, and Thursday, March 7, in Albertson, police said.

In a criminal complaint obtained by Newsday, it is alleged that the incidents took place in Maser's parked vehicle.

In a statement, Sacred Heart Academy's administration said the school is "firmly committed" to students' "safety and well-being."

When the administration learned of the situation involving Maser, they notified "the appropriate authorities and offered all available resources to the family."

"Sacred Heart took immediate steps to ensure that the coach had no further access to Sacred
Heart’s premises or any school activities," the statement continued, adding that Maser is no longer employed by the school.

"Due to the ongoing law enforcement investigation, all questions should be directed to the
Nassau County Police Department," it concluded.

A spokeswoman for the school confirmed Maser was fired.

In an email, B&B Volleyball officials said they sent a notice to parents before Maser's arrest and that they believe it answers most questions.

"Maser started at B & B Volleyball as a player and began coaching when he turned 18 after he had gone through mandatory training with U.S. Safe Sport and had been screened by USA Volleyball, which includes a background check, the club said.

In the notice to parents, club officials said that recently, a report was received of "an inappropriate sexual relationship" between an adult who coached for the club and one of our players.

"This report was the first notice B & B Volleyball received about the relationship, and, of course, we were concerned for the well-being of our player and her family first and foremost," the notice said. "B & B Volleyball immediately reported this report and its details to the U.S. Center for SafeSport as mandated. SafeSport is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending sexual, physical, and emotional abuse on behalf of athletes everywhere."

"SafeSport provides mandatory training to all B & B Volleyball coaches and also provides guidelines and guidance to B & B Volleyball administration regarding best practices to maintain safe spaces for all our athletes and to comply with all Federal and state reporting and training in this subject matter," the notice continued. "The family of the athlete had confirmed that the incident had already been reported to law enforcement authorities, so B & B Volleyball did not have to take that step."

SafeSport handles all reporting requirements, the notice said.

Maser has been terminated from B & B Volleyball, according to the club.

The club issued the notice to let parents and athletes know that it places protecting our athletes as the most important responsibility, the notice said, adding, "We will not tolerate any inappropriate conduct; harassment; or behavior. We want our parents and athletes to know that if they have any indication or allegation of any inappropriate conduct, to report it to B & B Volleyball administration immediately."

The second reason they listed was that the club became aware that rumors were circulating on social media that alleged that the club was engaging in covering up the incident or trying to protect the coach involved.

"That is completely false and, in fact, the exact opposite is true," the notice read. "As stated above, the coach was immediately terminated and B & B Volleyball immediately reported as mandated. That we did not make an announcement immediately about the incident was to protect the identity and privacy of the athlete and to allow law enforcement to investigate the matter."

The club is "examining" the anonymous posts as "false and defamatory statements" and "if it is determined who was responsible, the club will pursue legal action," the notice read.

The third reason for the notice is to advise parents and athletes that the club "is aware of no other similar allegations involving Maser or any other club personnel and they are asking SafeSport to set up an additional round of training to make sure all our staff understand their responsibilities in this area, club officials said.

"Since the matter is currently under law enforcement investigation, B & BVolleyball cannot comment any further on the matter," the notice concluded. "We just wanted to let everyone in the B & B Volleyball family know that we are committed to protecting our athletes and providing a fun and safe environment for everyone. We value your loyalty and thank you for supporting B & B Volleyball!"

The club's attorney, Oscar Michelen of Mineola, said Maser was fired after the allegations came to light on Feb. 9, and the notice was issued just before his arrest because, "We wanted to let the community know we weren't trying to hide."

The 15-year-old program has 400 players, according to Michelen.

"There was never one inkling of a problem with this coach or any other of the coaches," he said. We were surprised by the allegations."

The rumor that the club was trying to hide the allegation about Maser started on social media took shape on the Nextdoor app, but it was immediately taken down, Michelen said.

Michelen has not yet subpoenaed any records that might identify the user.

"We were just glad that the site took it down immediately," he said, "And we'll wait and see, if that's the last of it, then we'll let it go."

We were just glad that the site took it down immediately. And we'll wait and see, you know, if that's the last of it, then we'll let it go.

Maser was found at his home and placed under arrest on Thursday, and charged with two counts of third-degree rape, two counts of third-degree criminal sexual act, and endangering the welfare of a child

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Friday at First District Court in Hempstead, online court records show.

He was released on bail which was posted at $75,000, $150,000 insured bond, or $700,000 partially secured surety bond and a temporary order of protection was ordered, according to the records.

His attorney, John Carman of Garden City, could not be reached for comment.

At the arraignment, he said Maser served as a part-time coach, not a full-time teacher at Sacred Heart and asked the court for no bail, and for Maser to be released to probation department supervision, Newsday reported.

Detectives are requesting anyone who may have been victimized by him to contact the Special Victims Squad Detectives at 516-573-4022 or Crime Stoppers, a confidential police hotline, at 1-800-244-TIPS.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.