Duxbury football in hot water
Anti-Semitic terms were allegedly included in play calls
Leaders of Duxbury’s highly successful football program are under fire for the alleged use of anti-Semitic terms in the team’s play-calling.
On Monday morning, the Duxbury Public School system issued a statement regarding how its varsity high school football team used “highly offensive onfield language” as part of its play-calling at the line of scrimmage during a seasonopening 35-0 win over Plymouth North on March 12. According to several sources, much of the language was anti-Semitic in nature.
The statement, signed by Duxbury superintendent John Antonucci, assistant superintendent Danielle Klingaman and high school principal James Donovan, went on to state while the players clearly demonstrated poor judgment, the responsibility for this incident also lies with the adults overseeing the program. They referred to it as a systemic failure.
The letter added that once administration learned of insensitive terminology in regards to play calls, they ordered the verbiage be stopped immediately. They went on to add that mandatory training will be involved for the entire football program so they can better understand the power of their actions on and off the field.
The three pledged in their statement to the Duxbury community to review the situation and, “determine how we can integrate the elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all of our athletic and co-curricular programs.”
While the letter didn’t refer to it, the Herald learned that longtime head coach Dave Maimaron was suspended last Friday night for the Dragons’ contest against Silver Lake due to the team’s inappropriate conduct. In a statement to the Herald on Monday, Maimaron expressed remorse for what transpired against Plymouth North.
“On behalf of the staff and players of the Duxbury High School football team, I want to extend my apology for the insensitive, crass and inappropriate language used in the game on March 12,” the statement said. “The use of this language was careless, unnecessary and most importantly hurtful on its face – inexcusable. The staff and the team have been transparent and cooperative with administration during this time, and we have taken responsibility for the incident. We are dealing with this as a team and focusing on the lessons we can learn from this.
“This incident does NOT reflect the values of the Duxbury football program, Duxbury High School, or the town of Duxbury, which is a proud No Place for Hate community. As a special education teacher and a coach, with a multi-racial family, I have a lengthy record of helping students and athletes of all races, religions and capabilities to become the best they can be. I view the football field in particular to be the largest classroom in the school and have developed an inclusive program that welcomes, and makes part of the team, any student who wishes to participate.
“Anyone who is familiar with the program can testify to the emphasis we put on the importance of community service; we impart to all student-athletes to help particularly those in need, those who are different, and those who are alone in the world. We, as a program, welcome the opportunity to participate in sensitivity and diversity training and look forward to taking the lessons learned to better ourselves and those around us.”
Duxbury athletic director Thom Holdgate would not comment on the situation or whether Maimaron would coach the team in its game against Hingham this weekend, citing how all school matters run through the superintendent’s office.
Maimaron has been the head coach at Duxbury since 2005 and has a 149-32 record with five Super Bowl titles in six appearances.