Howell HS coaches fired over hazing

The Howell Public School District has announced that their varsity hockey coach, along with two assistants, have been fired due to a recent hazing incident.

From the Howell release, which can be seen at the school district’s official website:

Tuesday, January 10, 2012, Superintendent Wilson received information alleging that the Howell Varsity Hockey coach, along with the two assistant coaches, all contracted through Professional Educational Services Group, LLC, had been involved in a student hazing* incident and other alleged misconduct that is currently under investigation. The incident allegedly occurred during a recent school-sponsored trip to Marquette, Michigan.

Howell Public Schools has investigated this matter and discovered that all three Varsity Hockey coaches were present and involved when the hazing occurred.

Accordingly, Howell Public Schools has ended its relationship with Head Coach Randy Montrose, Assistant Coach Marty Passino, and Assistant Coach Scotty Gardiner. The Howell Public Schools Athletic Director has been instructed to look for an interim coach to finish the season.  Until a coach is found, all Howell Varsity Hockey practices and games are cancelled.

*HAZING. The Board of Education believes that hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational process and prohibits all such activities at any time in school facilities, on school property, and at any District-sponsored event.

Hazing shall be defined for purposes of this policy as performing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to perform any act of initiation into any class, group, or organization that causes or creates a risk of causing mental, emotional, or physical harm. Permission, consent, or assumption of risk by an individual subjected to hazing shall not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.