Sayville HS Cancels Boys Soccer Season After Hazing Findings

SAYVILLE, NY — The Sayville High School boys soccer team's season has been ended on Thursday, after an investigation found that younger members were hazed and humiliated off campus.

Superintendent Marc Ferris informed parents of the decision in a letter obtained by Patch, that revealed younger players on the Sayville High School team were subjected to the abuse throughout this season.

This decision was made as a result of findings from an internal investigation that uncovered members of our Varsity Soccer team participating in hazing activities off campus that included acts of violence and humiliation towards younger players on our team, the letter said.

"This hazing behavior was systematic and ongoing throughout the season," Ferris said. "In addition to the fact that certain students participated in these activities as the aggressors, it is equally concerning that members of the team felt unable to speak out against this or report this to any adults of authority over the course of the season."

There is also evidence that this behavior extended beyond this season, and included additional behaviors in past years.

The team, which had a losing record, only had two games left, the New York Post said.

Ferris called the participation of students as "aggressors" and that team members were not comfortable reporting the misconduct "equally concerning."

He continued to say that overall, Sayville is a "wonderful school community full of caring and supportive people" and programs.

"It is our expectation that these activities build students up, inspire them with confidence, and support them in becoming strong, collaborative, healthy members of society, instilled with the courage to stand up for what is right and to advocate against what is wrong," Ferris said.

The district takes "no pleasure" in making this decision, but a message must be made to correct these discoveries moving forward, he said.

"This is not a team culture that we can condone or accept as a school district," said Ferris.