Long Island Football Team Forfeits Game After Vandalism Accusations: District

PATCHOGUE, NY — The Patchogue-Medford High School Varsity football team's final game of the season against Sachem has been forfeited after vandalism at Alleghany Avenue Elementary School in Lindenhurst, schools Superintendant Donna Jones said in a letter to the community on Wednesday.

She began her announcement, saying that she was writing "with great disappointment and sadness that as a result of the inexcusable behavior and vandalism" by the team to bathroom facilities at Lindenhurst School District’s Alleghany Avenue Elementary School during an away game this last weekend.

"This decision was made after careful consideration and in light of the fact that following multiple meetings with team members this past Monday and Tuesday, no player was willing to come forward to take responsibility for the defacement," she said.

Visiting teams are provided access to the Alleghany Avenue Elementary School gymnasium, two faculty bathrooms, and one student bathroom for before-and after-game preparations at Lindenhurst High School football games, according to Jones.

"Based on testimony and interviews with Lindenhurst School District maintenance personnel, no one but the Patchogue-Medford High School Varsity Football Team members were in the elementary school all weekend," she said. "Expected adult supervision of the team in the elementary school gymnasium was present; however, in recognition of privacy guidelines, adults do not accompany students into bathroom facilities, which is where the vandalism took place."

The football team's coaching staff and the district’s athletic director met with the team and held individual discussions, encouraging those responsible to come forward after learning of the defacement of the Lindenhurst facilities by Patchogue-Medford student-athletes, Jones said.

During the meetings, which were held on Monday and Tuesday, several players indicated they had heard about the vandalism, but no student took responsibility for the damage or presented any video evidence of the actual vandalism, according to Jones.

"As of this morning, even with the knowledge that Friday’s final season game would be forfeited if no one came forward, there was only silence from all team members," she said, adding, that the decision to forfeit was "a difficult one for the district."

"We waited until today to make this decision, hoping a player or players would come forward for the benefit of their teammates, who were all going to be penalized by the actions of a few," she said. "Sadly, it did not happen."

The team's coach, Anthony Cracco, told Newsday that the damage was less than $1,000.

He told the outlet that he "implored them to come forward and own it," adding, “I told them we were the only guests in that building all weekend. They knew the potential risk was the cancellation of a game that is really important to our district. “It’s unfortunate that everyone loses here."

A Suffolk police spokesperson said the incident was not reported to the department and is being handled internally by the school.

Jones said district officials realize the importance of the final game, "especially since this was designated as our Veterans Recognition Game in partnership with the Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame."

"However, we believe it is essential to set a clear standard for our students that upholds the values and integrity of our teams and our district," she said.

Jones went on to say that the "damage and defacement of another school’s facilities while we are guests in their district is completely unacceptable."

"It is our commitment as district to develop our scholars into responsible citizens who demonstrate accountability and respect, and the decision to forfeit the game aligns with this mission," she said. "We deeply apologize to the Lindenhurst School District and community for what took place."

District officials engaged in substantial conversations with the Hall of Fame and the Veterans Recognition Ceremony organizers, who "expressed their absolute support" for the decision as we look to ensure our veterans are properly honored," she said.

"We are coordinating to reschedule the Veterans Recognition Ceremony for an athletics competition in the winter or spring to appropriately recognize and celebrate our veterans," she concluded.

In another message to parents, Jones also addressed "unsubstantiated rumors" that members of the football team would not be able to participate on winter and spring sports teams.

"This is completely untrue," she said, adding, "We have not imposed any limitations on these student-athletes’ ability to try out and play on any of our winter or spring varsity teams."