ANTIOCH – Parents and advocate groups demanded transparency and accountability from Antioch Unified School District and Antioch High School following a recent hazing incident involving some football players.
Saddened and concerned by an incident which they claim involved a special needs student, many spoke out Wednesday night about the issue at the Board of Trustees meeting.
In a video that appeared on social media platforms last month, some members of the Antioch football team could be seen hazing an unidentified teenager. School and district officials have not confirmed if the teen in the 34-second clip is a special needs student.
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In the video, the teen is seen lying on the ground, screaming, while others, believed to be football players, surround him and laugh. The victim attempted to crawl away, but others were seen pouring liquid, throwing clothes and equipment on him, while some kicked and attempted to pull his shorts off.
Elizabeth LaVasse, the chief executive officer and president of the We Get It Foundation that supports autistic and neurodivergent individuals, said the episode was not the first, and it was due to “a culture of silence” and “a culture of looking the other way.”
“Students and alumni have told me privately, even recently, that this happens all the time … that this is a normal rite of passage in these locker rooms,” said LaVasse. “When abuse becomes tradition, something is deeply wrong.”
LaVasse said she has spoken publicly about the incident, but claimed she was “bullied” by school district staff members, which she said has left her feeling unsafe.
“I am not here to attack staff. There are incredible, incredible educators in this district, but there are also staff members who have retaliated, who do bully parents, who mock advocates, and who have created an environment where good people stay silent because speaking up feels unsafe,” she said. “This district does not have a student problem. It has a bullying problem.”
She urged for transparency, accountability, and independent oversight from the community at large over the issue.
Charlotte Luther said she was “appalled” by the incident, adding that the students involved must face disciplinary action, including expulsion or permanent removal from the football program.
“Their conduct reflects a fundamental disregard for standards of decency, responsibility, and integrity expected of any human being,” she said.
Adrian Gwen said parents are becoming more fearful of sending their children to school without assurances of serious consequences for such behavior.
A resident named Jorge said the incident “has put a stain” on the community and hoped the district and school authorities would not take matters lightly.
When the video came to light, Antioch High School called off its Thursday night football game against Liberty High School, citing “violations of the district’s code of conduct.”
Antioch High School Principal John Jimno sent two letters to the community following the incident.
In the first sent on Oct. 30, Jimno wrote that a “significant portion of the varsity football team” was involved in the incident but did not divulge details of the disciplinary actions taken.
The football team, however, was back on the field a week later against Pittsburg High School.
Last week, Jimno sent a second letter providing an update on ongoing investigations into the matter. He confirmed that players, as well as a coach “who potentially had supervisory responsibility,” had been identified, and that some disciplinary measures were in place.
While Jimno did not specify the disciplinary actions, citing privacy and confidentiality, he stated that “appropriate discipline” had been imposed on the players involved and on the coaching staff responsible for oversight at the time of the incident.
“The entire Antioch High School football team has participated in a restorative circle to understand the impact of this incident and this type of conduct,” said Jimno.
The entire Antioch High School football team has also participated in anti-bullying training, said Jimno, adding that players identified as having been involved in the episode have received additional anti-bullying training.
“Each member of the Antioch High School football team has begun and will complete community service hours,” stated the letter, without specifying the number of hours.
Jimno assured the community that bullying will never be tolerated at the school or within the district, urging students to reach out to him if they were bullied or know anyone engaging in such activities.