SOUTH EASTON — Superintendent Luis Lopes issues the following statement regarding last week’s varsity football game:
“Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School prides itself on empowering students to demonstrate positive leadership and citizenship and contribute to a culture of mutual respect, both within school and when representing the school during extracurricular activities.
“It has come to my attention that at the Friday night, Nov. 5, varsity football game between Southeastern and Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, several of our varsity football players and members of the coaching staff exhibited unprincipled behavior not consistent with our school’s code of conduct.
“Some of our players and coaching staff exhibited poor sportsmanship both during and after the game, taunting members of the opposing team and shouting obscenities at them. Not only were multiple penalties called during the game, but the behavior of students and coaching staff after the game was not at all consistent with the values of our school community.
“This behavior is unacceptable, disappointing and goes against our core values.
“In light of these events, I am immediately suspending this season’s varsity football program. The team will forfeit this Friday’s game against Shawsheen Valley Tech and we will be closely monitoring the behavior of our players in the coming weeks to determine if they will take the field for the final game of the season against West Bridgewater on Thanksgiving Day.
“Participation in athletic activities should not only be fun, but should also provide lasting life lessons and worthwhile experiences for all of the students involved. We have worked to ensure that everyone who puts on a Southeastern uniform or coaches one of our teams is held to the highest standards of honor, integrity and sportsmanship.
“The lack of discipline and respect for an opponent shown on Friday night is not characteristic of Southeastern’s athletic program, and we extend our sincere apologies to the members and coaching staff of the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School football team and those in attendance.
“Southeastern Athletic Director Daniel Tripp has also been in contact with Upper Cape Athletic Director Benjamin Rabinovitch since Friday. I have also called Superintendent Roger Forget to apologize for the behavior of our staff and players.
“We will be thoroughly reviewing the events that transpired on Friday night. We will ensure that such unacceptable behavior is not repeated in the future. We will also meet with all coaches and athletes to ensure that the basic tenets of sportsmanship are known and followed by all during the upcoming season.”
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