one New York The basketball coach of high school girls was cited for the second-degree harassment this week after being fired over the weekend for stretching a player’s hair after losing in the state championship game.
Jim Zullo, 81, was fired for his job Northville High School On Friday night, the Falcons lost to La Fargeville Central School, Girls’ varsity basketball team after he was arrested after being video pulled Hailey Monroe’s hair.
Jim Zullo coached Northville High School girls on March 4, 2024 at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. (Sam Zullo via AP)
Northville Central School District issued a statement announcing the decision and said it “deeply disturbed” Zullo’s actions.
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“We keep our coaches at the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship and respect for student-athletes, and this behavior is completely unacceptable. The region is committed to ensuring that this behavior has no place in our program and we will continue to uphold the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families and communities expect and deserve.
“This person will no longer be coaching for Northville Central School District,” the statement continued. “We assure the public that this matter is taken seriously and that the district is actively addressing the issue. The district will follow up with affected participants and their families to provide support and outline the actions we have taken to respond to this incident.”
The incident happened when the two teams lined up for the post-match ceremony, which included a handshake between players and a reward speech at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
Father and son pay tribute to the mother’s memory in the basketball state semifinal
The Hudson Valley Community College Department of Public Safety issued a statement Monday confirming Zullo met with officers and received an appearance ticket Second level of harassment.
He will return to court later.
Zullo issued a statement over the weekend apologizing for his actions.
Jim Zullo issued harassment tickets on his second degree by the Hudson Valley Community College Department of Public Safety on Monday. (iStock)
“I deeply regret my behavior after losing to Rafalchville in the Class D State Championship Friday night. I would like to provide the most sincere apology to Haley and her family, our team, the good people at Northville Central School and our community,” he said in a statement. Obtained by WNYT.
As a coach, I can put my hands on the player in any case and I’m really sorry. I wish I could come back to those moments. I’m glad to have the opportunity to coach girls basketball in Northville for the past two years, especially last season, and especially last season, which has been a tough time for our family. I am very proud of these young women and their achievements.
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Zullo previously won the state championship with the Shenendehowa High School Boys Basketball team in 1987 and advanced to the state finals with the Northville girls team in each of his two seasons.
He was fighting cancer in 2023 at the time. She died in that season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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