Football team’s season canceled

The superintendent’s decision is drawing both anger and praise.

parlin, n. j. » The abrupt cancellation of football season at a New Jersey prep powerhouse signaled something more than locker-room hijinks.

Seven teens are facing sexcrime charges as this solidly middle-class town and its beloved football program find themselves at the center of the broader debate over howto deal with hazing.

The district’s superintendent said abuse by the Sayreville War Memorial High School studentswas so pervasive that he had no choice but to call off the season for a team that has won three sectional titles in four years. His decision angered team parents but drew applause from advocates who called it the kind of bold stand necessary to confront hazing.

No coaches have been charged, and it isn’t clear whether any knewabout the alleged incidents. In his first public comments, head coach GeorgeNajjar told the Star-Ledger of Newark on Saturday that hewould comment on the allegations but “nowis not the time.”

Najjar could not be reached by telephone Saturday evening.

The allegations involved attacks on four students over a 10-day span last month, authorities said. Six defendants were arrested Friday, and the seventh surrendered Saturday. Their names were not released.

One of the attacks involved sexual penetration upon one of the alleged victims, said MiddlesexCounty prosecutorAndrewC. Carey.

In a statement, Superintendent Richard Labbe said the district will “come together as a school district and greater community to harness the strength required to support the young men who may have been victimized and then to begin the healing process for our beloved community.”

Stuart Green, founder of the New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention, praised Labbe’s decision as one that could change the conversation on the issue of bullying.

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