WMAQ-TV ran shots of Prairie Grove High School in its Thursday night story about the Crystal Lake Police Department probe of hazing on the wrestling team.
“The actions which have been found objectionable by the Prairie Ridge and District 155 Administration have been going on in high school athletics for decades,” said Crystal Lake lawyer and former District 155 School Board President Jim Bishop. ‘Different generations have called the actions by different names, “noogies,” “grundies,” “wedgies,” “grab ass,” “hot nuts” and now it’s called a “shooter.”
“This not limited to boys.”
“It’s absolutely harmless. It’s kids being kids.”
“The school administration and police department are out of control.
“It’s outrageous that it is even alluded to be ‘sexual molestation,’” he continues.
Under its new comment—or should I say, “No comment—policy, my understanding is that folks can no longer tell what they know or speculate about the potential crimes committed at Prairie Ridge High School on and by those on the wrestling team under the relevant Northwest Herald story.
Some folks who seem to know something have found one of the three stories published by McHenry County Blog and left the following comments here:
First person:
“This happened on the coaching staffs watch, are they not accountable?“
Second person:
“GWC you are right . . . staff should be held accountable.“
Third person:
“From what I understand the coaches are not suppose to be in the locker rooms. “
Fourth person:
“you have no clue what happened its just a tradition none of the wrstlers care.”
Fifth person:
“This is much ado about nothing. I went to high school in the early ‘80’s and guys punched each other in the nuts all the time, especially if you were on an athletic team. Pink bellies (the other ‘atrocity’ mentioned) have been going on since Abe Lincoln was chopping wood as a kid. To label it as criminal is comical.
“The overreaction by the media and the previous poster is the typical reaction of the melodramatic society that we’ve become.”
The articles in question are
District 155 Issues Letter about Prairie Ridge Wrestling Hazing
Additional Statement from High School District 155 Wrestling Hazing and Intimidation
Prairie Ridge Wrestling Hazing May Have Included Sexual Molestation