Jen Toomey fired, Michael Toomey suspended from high school coaching.

I bet there's a school policy that mandates that all reported incidents of hazing must be reported. They'll probably cite some kind of anti bullying policy as well.

Not saying he should get the hook, just saying I bet there's a policy on this that the school is hanging their hat on.

A violation of ones person is not a part of growing up. It is an assault! When my kid was hazed I did not like it and you can't even imagine what it has done to my son psychologically. I know Hazing is a part of our society but it is wrong to willingly disregard the rights of others.

I was so angry at first, when I heard about the incident, I wanted everyone fired because I was just so hurt for my son and the entire situation. I met with the Principal and the other students (offenders)and I did realize these were other kids making stupid decisions in the name of, Hazing. Should the coach from Arizona be fired? As hurt and angry as I was (we still have to deal with some scars)I would say, no. Should he have reported it, yes! Because the coach made an error in judgement on reporting the incident I don't think he sould lose his job.The offenders and the victim did not tell him the truth so the coach could have easily thought it was horse play. There is so much going on in the school system to report everything would probably be unfesiable but I do like your response in the fact teachers need training on this. The kids doing the Hazing are the real offenders, not the coach. If the coach willingly ignored the incident after it was reported to him as true facts, I could see firing him. It is unfortunate the decisions of others affects so many around them.

Understood, but bringing up that the victim didn't tell the truth is irrelevant. Any educator knows that kids aren't always forthcoming even when they are the victim.

Based on the article alone, I don't think Toomey should have fired, but my comments are more directed at dealing with hazing in general.

I understand completely what you are saying. My son's first response to me when I asked him why didn't he tell right away..." I was told I would get jumped and stop being a Homo about it". I only found out when my son quit the team in a sport he loved so much. I knew then something was wrong.

I hope that there was nothing I posted to indicate that I didn't think hazing is very serious, just the opposite.

Exactly why every parent should get his son some form of self defense training as early as possible. Once he's known as a badass, ain't no one going to mess with him.

After 6 months of mixed martial arts training, my son beat the hell out of one of the bullies in the neighborhood who used to send him home crying. The other bully now heads the other way when he sees my son coming.

My son is now known not to be messed with and his confidence and self esteem have soared.

I certainly didn't think you thought hazing was not serious. I liked your response of reporting an incident even if you thought it was nothing to it. I realize kids do stupid things and even high schoolers still need adults to look our for them sometimes.

This is still crap. Why did the parents go directly to the police instead of talking to the school? It is obvious that the parents' overreaction is what got him fired. The perps weren't expelled but suspended for 3 days, which tells you what the school was thinking about the incident. Even the superintendent said the incident was minor.

Parents need to use better judgement in when they coddle their little 16 year old babies for stupid incidents like this and help them realize that it is a harsh world out there.

another hs coach wrote:

Understood, but bringing up that the victim didn't tell the truth is irrelevant. Any educator knows that kids aren't always forthcoming even when they are the victim.

Any adult knows that. But bringing it up is completely relevant and certainly not blaming the victim. He is not allowed to beat a confession out of someone so unless someone admits to something, there is not a whole lot he or anyone else can do to the perpetrators

If you are reading the posts, most of us, including the parent of the kid hazed, actually seem to agree that he shouldn't have been fired; however, you still don't seem to understand the potential ramifications of hazing. To refer parents concern as "coddling" or make a flippant remark about "it is a harsh world out there," demonstrates your lack of understanding of the situation.

People who haze have serious issues. Repressed anger, violent tendencies, repressed sexuality, acting out upon their own physical/sexual abuse.

Any dumba$$ who says suck it up, is exactly like an abusive priest, teacher, parent, or other authority figure's demand to "suck it up" is to cover their own culpability. Nobody learns anything from being hazed except to resent those who hazed, and worse, take that anger and resentment out on their own youger peers in the future.

There is nothing OK about harming or violating someone else to empower yourself. By playing along and "sucking it up" the Toomeys lost their jobs, as they should have.

"make them sit next to naked guys on the bus"

I'm sure the only motive to @ss raping someone in prison is "shock value".

You went to school with a bunch of powerless and abusive f@ggots. I wonder how funny you thought it as at the time.

another hs coach wrote:

If you are reading the posts, most of us, including the parent of the kid hazed, actually seem to agree that he shouldn't have been fired; however, you still don't seem to understand the potential ramifications of hazing. To refer parents concern as "coddling" or make a flippant remark about "it is a harsh world out there," demonstrates your lack of understanding of the situation.

The parents called the cops and made this out to be a bigger deal than what it was. They didn't even try to talk to the principal and tried to get it resolved through channels normal parents would use in this situation. If the kid felt he was being hazed, well, he doesn't have to worry about that anymore cause absolutely no one is going to associate with him.

The parents in the situation did overact and were "coddling" their son.

Since when did people become such pussies...it's not like they raped the kid. I hope the other kids on that track team make his life a living hell. These are the same kind of parents who would sue because their kid didn't make varsity or some bull shit like that.

Crap wrote:

This is still crap. Why did the parents go directly to the police instead of talking to the school? It is obvious that the parents' overreaction is what got him fired. The perps weren't expelled but suspended for 3 days, which tells you what the school was thinking about the incident. Even the superintendent said the incident was minor.

Parents need to use better judgement in when they coddle their little 16 year old babies for stupid incidents like this and help them realize that it is a harsh world out there.

Yes it is a harsh world, and those caught (serious sexual or violent)) hazing should arrested , prosecuted, and jailed where they can reap the fruits of their labors.

Just last week in a small town called Mollalla (30 miles outside Portland), a high school athlete was arrested for sexual abuse/hazing on a bus ride home from a sporting event. Harsh world indeed.

This whole story is a perfect example of why I decided not to coach at the high school and collegiate levels.

Too many of the kids, parents and administrators are juvenile and silly in their knee jerk reactions to anything adverse that happens. When it doubt too many of them call the cops, sue or fire rather than successfuly deal with the root problems. And unfortunately many of the kids are wise to this as well use it against their teachers and coaches, almost black mailing them to get what they want.

No thanks, not for me.

Yes it is a harsh world, and those caught (serious sexual or violent)) hazing should arrested , prosecuted, and jailed where they can reap the fruits of their labors.

Just last week in a small town called Mollalla (30 miles outside Portland), a high school athlete was arrested for sexual abuse/hazing on a bus ride home from a sporting event. Harsh world indeed

Maybe we should cancel high school athletics all together so this type of thing never happens.

I also want to add that Mr. Toomey is not a certified teacher and has never taken any classes toward an education degree. (From what I remember of him before he ran off to the other side of the country).

Why was he hired to work with kids when he has no qualifications? He is a perfect example of someone who was hired to fill a coaching vacancy with no regard for his background. Most teachers and educated coaches are required to take educational law classes which cover situations like hazing and harassment, etc.

Poor decision on the part of the school district if you ask me.

Again, his wife sounds like an innocent victim, but he had no business working with kids in the first place.

Any bets that this kids parents don't believe in spanking and think that time-outs are a great means of teaching. If my parents ever went to school to complain about something as minor as this, I would give myself a swirly.

To the outraged parent,

You and your attitude is the problem. You said how outraged you were and your kid quit the sport. Of course he did. His parents told him how awful this was. I feel bad for your child. Not because of the hazing, because his parents are so overprotective that he is guaranteed to grow up weak.

not a smart move wrote:

Any bets that this kids parents don't believe in spanking and think that time-outs are a great means of teaching. If my parents ever went to school to complain about something as minor as this, I would give myself a swirly.

To the outraged parent,

You and your attitude is the problem. You said how outraged you were and your kid quit the sport. Of course he did. His parents told him how awful this was. I feel bad for your child. Not because of the hazing, because his parents are so overprotective that he is guaranteed to grow up weak.

I agree, my friend. Is daddy going to step in all this kid's life and fight all his battles for him?

"Daddy, the professor at college just flunked me."

"Well, I will have none of this! How dare he pick on my child in that fasihon? Set tight, son, daddy is on the way to save you yet again!"