Rough-Housing, or Hazing?
An incident in the locker room at Milford High School earlier this month has townspeople talking.
As you probably know, we at Milford Patch love to use social media to complement our work and activity on this page. We have vibrant Twitter and Facebook pages; they're two tools that help us interact with and engage you, our readers.
Social Media Saturday is a weekly feature where Milford Patch will highlight some of what people shared on Facebook and other media in the past week.
We'll also point you to some new and interesting pages you may not have known about before.
Highlights of the Week
Milford Patch has 1,339 fans on Facebook. We also have 320 followers on Twitter. The numbers on each are steadily growing. If you're a Milford resident with a Twitter account, look us up; we're @MilfordMAPatch. And "like" us on Facebook to get regular updates.
Here are some highlights of what took place this week:
- The most passed-around and commented-on story this week dealt with an allegation of hazing involving members of the Milford High School varsity football team. As upsetting to our readers as the incident itself, was the controversial decision by the school principal to fire the assistant coach who reprimanded the boys. The superintendent has called the incident "rough-housing." The former assistant coach says it was hazing. Many readers said they felt that the boys got off lightly. One of our Facebook fans characterized this as “typical town politics” and voiced support for fired coach Pat Cornelius, commenting: “He did the right thing.”
- We also reported on Milford boys doing good deeds this week. Our pair of stories about Cub Scouts this week had proud parents buzzing about the Cub Scout Olympics, “especially Pack 32 who brought home the trophy!” The boys followed up their athletics with some community work, cleaning up the bike path. We’ll echo one reader: “Great job, boys! Making Milford shine!”
- Finally, our Question of the Week challenged readers to explain the origin (and name) of East Main Street’s rooftop dinosaur. What dinosaur, you ask? One fan admitted: “How many of us didn’t realize it was on the roof?” Others correctly identified it as a relic of the building’s Sinclair Oil origins. When the answer (and the name, Dino) was revealed, it was hailed as “fun, but useless information.” We’re taking that as a compliment!
Social Media Page of the Week
This week, we recommend you check out the Facebook page of WMRC Radio. You would expect them to provide lots of updates of local issues and events, and you’d be right, but they also have a fun and active community of 1,332 fans. They have giveaways and contests, including our favorite, “Ray’s Yard Sale Treasures,” the radio station’s version of “The Price is Right.” Fans of the page have to guess the total cost of various yard sale items. The prize? You guessed it – the yard sale treasures! Plus, If you head over there now, you can enter the Fall Foliage contest by sending in your best foliage photo, or vote for one of the current entries.
Your Town on Facebook
For more Facebook pages Milford residents might find interesting, check out our list of "liked" pages on Milford Patch Facebook. And don’t forget to follow us at www.facebook.com/MilfordPatch.
Bill Dillon
2:12 pm on Saturday, October 29, 2011
Don't know any of the people on the school board, but I think its time for them (one and all) to start looking for a new Principal or bring back Sister Rose or Chick as the Coach. I spent a few year in the school system, and yes we did get into a few problems ,but no incident like this and if we did have have a problem the children were held for the problem,and not the coach If he or she saw the problem and took care of it,they sure were not fired.
Jan
4:21 pm on Saturday, October 29, 2011
Agrees!!! Milford is getting in the news too often, and for all the bad reasons.
Sounds like a bunch of spoiled kids here..Unless there is something we don't know, this was a harsh decision on the school's part.
This coach was doing his job! I don't know him, but I sure AM/was glad he was a part of our team.
All that needed to be done for all involved was a good talking. We all lose our tempers!
How would you like to have your son wiping the ..oh won't go there, but that is not clean horsing around people!! Get it together
You made the wrong call Mr Principal..Like I say, we all make mistakes. Fix this one please. This man has no job while these kids have their way..
God Bless sports and music in Milford.Right!!!!!!!!!!!
southpaw
9:44 am on Monday, October 31, 2011
Just because this is a sports related incident doesn't mean it's not bullying! I don't care who these kids are, but they got off with a slap on the wrist. If I were in that coach's shoes I probably would have done the same thing! So much for our "zero tolerance" I guess we only tolerate what we want...
David Nolta
10:06 am on Monday, October 31, 2011
Just a thought: there are situations, and this sounds like one to me, when the punishment for bullying (if that's the proper term to use in this case) can be taken to such a point (and, as in this case, become so public) that the bullied, and even the bystanders, wind up bearing the brunt of the punishment....
southpaw
2:13 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
"rough-housing", "hazing", "bullying" - call it what you want. It is deeply disturbing what took place and there should have been stronger repercussions on the students and not the coach....