Sayreville High School cancels JV, varsity football seasons amid hazing probe

SAYREVILLE, N.J. (WABC) -- Sayreville High School has canceled its varsity, junior varsity and freshmen team football season after hazing and bullying accusations came to light, some sexual in nature.

Passionate parents demanded answers about that controversial decision.

"I don't understand why they're being punished. The forfeited game was punishment enough," said Madeline Valet, a mother.

"These kids aren't monsters. This community needs to pull together," another mother said.

At Tuesday night's school board meeting, players, students, and parents argued that everyone should not be punished for allegations against a few students.

"I hope you thought long and hard about this because you made these kids the victims," a father said, "They're getting bullied, everywhere they go, they can't even wear their shirt to a Rutgers game without people wanting to beat them up."

"Now we're not going to have that closer of going out and finishing our senior year. It got taken from us, from something we didn't even know was going on," said Derek Rodriguez, a player.

"I just have one question, when is the next board election?" said Vanessa Grace, a mother.

But the board backed the superintendent's decision, saying prosecutors have evidence of intimidation and bullying among players, calling it pervasive and wide-scale.

"Something happened in that locker room that the county prosecutor decided there's a criminal investigation," one board member said.

"It's sad and it's terrible and it's heartbreaking but it's not tragic. Tragic would be walking in front of a casket of a victim who felt he couldn't take it anymore," another board member said.

Respected coach George Najjar, who led the team to several championships, had nothing to say when asked questions and Bombers defensive coordinator Charlie Garcia was arrested for allegedly being caught with steroids. Garcia has since resigned, and he is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 10.

The board unanimously decided enough is enough.

No charges have been filed against any students.