Records: What prompted Rockford football ‘misconduct’ investigation

Source: woodtv.com --- Monday, November 07, 2016
ROCKFORD, Mich. (WOOD) — A member of Rockford High School’s varsity Football team was disciplined for “gross misconduct” after he allegedly exposed himself during an initiation for new players at an off-campus gathering. Seven players were suspended from the Oct. 14 game against East Kentwood for violating the school’s athletic code of conduct . Two of the seven players, including the one cited for “gross misconduct” and another cited for “tobacco use,” were benched for one additional game. The misconduct occurred when players gathered after Thursday night team dinners at an area known as the “Hill,” a secluded spot near the water tower just northeast of North Rockford Middle School. Five of the seven disciplined players had “leadership” roles in the Hill gatherings. Administrators interviewed each individual player on the evening of Oct. 17 and parents were invited to attend if they chose. In a summary of the players’ interviews, the district described an activity in which one of the leaders at the gathering – a player referred to as the “story teller” – exposed himself. “The majority of (the players) interviewed stated that when new players made varsity, they were instructed to stand in line and make contact with the exposed area of the story teller,” wrote administrators who compiled the results of the student interviews. “Those placed first in line were told that this was a joke and to ...

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