The school says it investigated then and placed Blake on temporary leave. A three-time graduate of the University of Minnesota, Hamre brings more than 25 years of hockey experience to the Gophers coaching staff. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) }Customer Service. Blake has been on temporary leave from the school district since November pending the completion of a comprehensive external investigation and termination proceedings. When accusations surfaced in 2018 and again in 2020, the district said it launched investigations and placed Blake on leave. NBC10 Boston repeatedly tried to contact Blake at his home and on the phone, but attempts so far have been unsuccessful. The Foleys alleged that the abuse only ended when Parker threatened Blake with a knife. "This case is absolutely malicious and not based on any factual evidence whatsoever.. "At the same time, I need to reiterate that the district took all appropriate steps to investigate this matter and obtain relevant facts and then took proper, legal action in this case.". A Duxbury gym teacher accused of raping a student has been fired as police investigate more than a dozen anonymous tips related to the case, according to news outlets. We only use official stats. Rick Sobey is a multimedia, general assignment reporter -- covering breaking news, politics and more across the region. Joe Dwinell is the Herald's Executive Editor and investigative/enterprise reporter. John Blake, the former Oklahoma football player and coach who was the school's first Black head coach in any sport, died Thursday. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. "Over the last 25 years, I have proudly taught and coached thousands upon thousands of students and athletes, from the youth to the high school level, with respect and professionalism," he said. Related Content: Parents allege Duxbury middle school gym teacher raped their now-deceased son. The superintendent noted even though there wasnt enough evidence to warrant criminal charges against Blake, the districts independent investigation found the gym teacher had violated its sexual harassment policy and code of conduct. Report: Investigation raises 'serious concerns' about credibility of former Duxbury coach who denied sexually assaulting student John Blake, who was a coach and gym teacher, was fired. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. The high schools athletic director, Thom Holdgate, didnt have his contract renewed at the end of the current school year amid this and another scandal at the high school involving the football team using anti-Semitic language. The suit against Blake accuses the teacher of holding Foley back from gym class while he was a student at Duxbury Middle School around 2006, touching and raping him in the gym and empty classrooms, the Globe reported. Blake was again placed on leave. 2002-2020. Lawyer Regina Ryan, hired by the school district to lead the investigation, didnt find explicit evidence of sexual abuse, but did say that Blake was not credible, the Globe reported. The LA Kings and John Stevens have agreed to contract terms for Stevens to serve as the club's new Head Coach, it was announced today by Kings Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake. Assistant GM . Morgan said in the lawsuit that Blake would hold children back from gym class in 2006, acting as a "gatekeeper. Stevens . GM, Alt. Police said criminal charges couldn't be filed because Parker was dead. In a response to a public lawsuit by Duxbury parents, the towns senior school officials Tuesday issued a statement denying they failed to take reasonable steps to thwart repeated sexual assaults alleged in that lawsuit. . While Blake has been fired from Duxbury schools, no criminal charges have been filed. But the 30-page report concluded that Blake who made several statements contradicted by colleagues and former students was not a reliable witness. "John Blake, in raping Parker, absolutely crushed his heart," Joe Foley said. After Customers Paid Large Deposits for Home Projects, Contractor Files for Bankruptcy, FIRST ALERT: Wintry Mix Keeps Falling as Storm Hits New England (Live Radar), VIDEO: Ceiling Panel Falls Very Close' to Red Line Rider; MBTA Orders Changes, Stoneham Police Chief Announces Retirement. In the coming weeks and months, we are going to need to identify who we are and what we believe in as a school district and community, Antonucci said. While multiple colleagues said Blake had a sexual relationship with another teacher, who also confirmed it, he denied it. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Unfortunately, it is not that simple, as I have serious concerns regarding Mr. Blakes credibility.. Joseph and Melissa Foley accused Blake of sexually assaulting their son, Parker, on multiple occasions between 2005 and 2007, and said the abuse only stopped when Parker threatened Blake with a knife, according to the newspaper. He was 59. "He cared about others more than he cared for himself.". The school district says it conducted its own independent investigation in 2020, though, and concluded Blake violated its sexual harassment policy and code of conduct. Howie Carr: What's so urgent in Holbrook, Mr. Speaker? Jason Morgan, an attorney representing the Foley family, said the alleged sex assaults happened multiple times. Not one of those investigations was able to identify actionable evidence of wrongdoing that would result in criminal or personnel charges, the superintendent pointed out. said Joe Foley, Parker's father. Claude Julien coached the Canadiens for three seasons from 2003-2006, before coming back from 2017 to 2021. First published on April 6, 2021 / 5:50 PM. Ryan also found Blakes responses to be evasive when questioned about Parker and if a student had ever confronted him with a knife, which Parker told several people he did to stop the alleged abuse. Prew, however, was taken back into custody on Nov. 15, 2019, after he missed a deadline to surrender to a Vermont court the day before in connection with the charges he is facing in that state. When he died of an accidental overdose last fall, his parents found his journal, which accused John Blake of the rape. Morgan saidthe investigation files will be turned over to the courtsduring the discovery process now that the Foleys are suing for damages. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. "Blake has been on leave from the school district since November pending the completion of a comprehensive external investigation and termination proceedings," Antonuccisaid in the letter. Antonucci and Danielle Klingaman, Duxburys interim superintendent, also declined to comment. Jim Davis/Globe Staff/file The coach of Boston College High School's varsity hockey team was placed on leave after he was arrested and. I commend the boys for their bravery in coming forward and for their willingness to testify at trial.. He was deemed to be a danger to the public by two judges, but the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled shortly before Prew's bail hearing that the charges he faced do not include an element of force, so defendants in those cases cannot be considered a danger to the public. "We're going to let what's out there stand," he said. Though the other teacher confirmed that the relationship occurred, Blake denied any involvement, according to the report. LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings sent the message that they believe only a short reset is needed to compete for championships again by hiring John Stevens as coach on Sunday . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. View John Blake's business profile as Boys Hockey Coach at Duxbury High School. Unfortunately, it is not that simple, as I have serious concerns regarding Mr. Blakes credibility.. But Parker said nothing for years. He was most recently a reporter at The Lowell Sun. That investigation "went cold.". The superintendent said police have received over a dozen anonymous tips in relation to this case, and have followed up on every one of them. Facebook (opens in new window/tab) Instagram (opens in new window/tab) The attorney said he will file a countersuit against the Foleys alleging malicious prosecution, slander and libel. In the lawsuit, Morgan said Parker Foley turned to drug abuse to deal with the mental anguish of Blake's alleged abuse, which led to his overdose death. The district attorney's office did not respond to requests for information. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. As for the football team, they are scheduled to resume play Friday night against Marshfield the first game since the news of the insulting play calls. "It broke my heart Parker couldn't come forward with this, but in no way do I judge him," said his father, Joe Foley. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He amassed 175 victories and four state championships as a football coach at STAB. Morgan says the alleged sex assaults happened multiple times. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. Blake has denied the allegations, according to the Globe, and his lawyer, Kevin Reddington, said Blake took passed a polygraph test Monday. Investigator found ex-Duxbury hockey coach accused of sexual assault lied about relationship with another teacher, interactions with students By Elizabeth Koh and Hanna Krueger Globe Staff,. Id like to see the administrators and the coaches go out in the middle of the field, and say theyre sorry for failing the players, Cohen said. Neither Blake nor his attorney, Kevin Reddington,responded to requests for comment. The family received a summary report that omitted all the names, including their own, and other information they provided to the investigators. Foley died from a drugoverdose in October 2020at age 27. Joe Foley says he wants justice for his son. However, red flags surrounding Blake didnt just crop up in 2020. We have been informed that none of the tips are actionable from a legal standpoint.. Foley died of a drug overdose last year at age 27, according to The Associated Press. In addition to suing former teacher John Blake who was the high school varsity boys hockey coach the parents are also bringing the lawsuit against Duxbury Public Schools. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. And as the school looks for new leaders, you also have to address all the weaknesses in the system that allowed this to happen so that it never happens again regardless of who is in charge.. Police are now investigating more than a dozen anonymous tips related to the case, according to The Boston Globe. The setup of the boys locker room at the Duxbury Middle School allowed Blake to act as a gatekeeper for boys attending gym class, and Blake used his power and authority to hold boys back from gym class at his whim and discretion, the parents lawyer wrote in a complaint filed in Plymouth County Superior Court. ", "Throughout a painful stretch of his time at the Duxbury Middle School, Blake held Parker back from gym class, led him to an empty classroom, and forced himself upon an innocent and helpless young boy," Morgan said in the lawsuit. Prew is facing similar charges in Middlesex County and in Vermont. The second investigation, which started after the Foleys went to the school district and police department in 2020, concluded that Blake violated thedistrict's sexual harassment policy and code of conduct. Blake's defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, had him take a polygraph test, which he allegedly passed with flying colors. "The sexual assaults only came to a stop when Parker brought a knife to school and threatened to kill Blake if he ever touched him again.". In the Vermont case, he is accused of inappropriately touching a child at Jay Peak resort while attending a youth hockey tournament in February 2016. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), Duxbury High athletic director is on his way out amid coaching scandals, Duxbury gym teacher accused of rape files counterclaim, What we know about the investigation into Duxbury footballs anti-Semitic play calls, Harvard Law School student arrested in assault on campus, allegedly used homophobic slur, authorities say, Lawsuit accuses a longtime Massachusetts teacher of child sex abuse while working at Maine summer camp, Family of former Stoughton police explorer files wrongful death lawsuit against 3 ex-officers. Hamre most recently served as the director of hockey operations at . John Blake, a longtime gym teacher and hockey coach at Duxbury Middle School, was placed on leave in the fall. A lawsuit was filed last week against the school district and Duxbury Middle School physical education teacher John Blake by the parents of Parker Foley, who attended Duxbury Public Schools until he left the district in 9th grade. On Tuesday, John Blake, who is also the Duxbury High School hockey coach, completely denied the accusations. More: Investigation: Duxbury gym teacher John Blake denied knowing alleged rape victim, having affair Prew is facing similar charges in Middlesex County and in Vermont. "This says it all," said Reddington, pointing at the report. A gym teacher at Duxbury Middle School has been accused of sexually assaulting a now-deceased former student 15 years ago. Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com. In February 2018, Prew was arrested after he was accused of sexually abusing eight boys between the ages of 7 and 13 whom he worked with as a hockey coach. - Verification Badge on your profile, Post a scouting report/trivia/player comment in English (visible here). Here is a timeline on the highlights of Blake's career: All rights reserved. The investigative report, obtained by The Boston Globe on Tuesday. Former Oklahoma head coach John Blake has died, the university confirmed. April 6, 2021 / 5:50 PM #ada-button-frame { John Blake, a current gym teacher and hockey coach at Duxbury Middle School, has been placed on leave. "It broke my heart Parker couldn't come forward with this, but in no way do I judge him," said his father, Joe Foley. He was 59 years old. Brian Poile. Free Tools . The University of Oklahoma mourns the passing of John Blake, OU's head football coach from the 1996 through 1998 seasons and the school's first Black head co. Its become so ugly, addedRabbi Howard Cohen, who recently talked to the football captains about the use of Auschwitz and other anti-Semitic terms for the teams audibles. A civil lawsuit has been filed against Blake and the school district by the parents of former student Parker Foley, who died of a drug overdose last year. The district is accused of failing to check on a student who was repeatedly missing from class which proved to be tragic for Parker, the suit adds. The findings in the report, which concluded in March, prompted the district to begin termination proceedings against Blake. Jason Wayne Blake (born September 2, 1973) is an American former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League . The boy was 12 at the time and died from a drug overdose last year, his parents allege in a lawsuit against Blake and the school. This case is absolutely malicious and not based on any factual evidence whatsoever, Reddington told the newspaper. Parker died from a drug overdose last year, according to the suit. In theTuesday letter, Antonucci said the school district took proper actions when officialswere notified of the rape complaint. Elizabeth Koh can be reached at elizabeth.koh@globe.com. Breck Athletics. As a result, the 2018 investigation went cold. John Blake, a current gym teacher and hockey coach at Duxbury Middle School, has been placed on leave. John Blake, a longtime gym teacher and hockey coach at Duxbury Middle School, was placed on leave in the fall. . Blake had a career in football few can replicate, which included a four-year career at OU under Barry Switzer, becoming the first Black head coach in any OU sport and multiple assistant coaching roles in the NFL. The district also said Duxburys longtime athletic director Thom Holdgate will not return next year. Leaders and Records. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Antonucci said in a follow-upemail Thursday that the district has been on "high alert" about Blake since 2018after Foley's father filed an anonymous complaint alleging Blake abused children at the middle school. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Associations executive director, William Gaine, said he has known Blake professionally as the hockey coach. The alleged sexual abuse happened in the mid-2000s. MILTON The head of Boston College High School's ice hockey program has been placed on administrative leave after police say he drunkenly crashed his car into another and drove . . Get the latest news on COVID-19 delivered to you. The lawyer said others have told him they reported Blake for inappropriate comments and behavior that went unpunished. Longtime Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer told Dean Blevins of News9 in Oklahoma City that. 1:38. People being heroic and brave has been lacking with this football team. The first investigation in 2018 was based on accusations made in an anonymous letter and phone call that didnt detail the students age, name or any other identifying information. More: Investigation: Duxbury gym teacher John Blake denied knowing alleged rape victim, having affair. Varsity BOys Hockey Schedule. Jason Blake (ice hockey) . "Both in the locker room, as well as an empty classroom that was just down the hall from the locker room itself," Morgan said. At a Tuesday school committee meeting, John Antonucci, superintendent of public schools in the town, confirmed Blake was fired April 1, noting the Duxbury Police Department has received more than a dozen anonymous tips in relation to the case, according to The Boston Globe. But it is like peeling back layers of an onion. What happened to Parker when he was in middle school, how did it happen?" Read the details of the report at BostonGlobe.com. It wasnt until Foleys case that the ball got rolling on termination proceedings. Player Facts Date of Birth Feb 15, 2002 Position D Age 21 Height 5'11" / 180 cm Place of Birth Champlin, MN, USA Weight 185 lbs / 84 kg Nation USA Shoots L Youth Team - Contract - Use/Embed statistics Default Per Game Average Coaches Played For Player Statistics Regular Season + Postseason Filter Leagues Game Log 2022-2023 All Opponents Coach. The school district denies the allegations. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He is currently a member of the USA Hockey's coaching education program and acts as a coaching director/adviser to many youth programs. The idea that a member of our staff would have hurt a student is an educators worst nightmare," Antonucci said. Though Parker was often stopped from participating in class, a former teacher said she could not recall seeing him on the bleachers where he was supposed to sit per protocol. - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! Judge James Lang sentenced Prew to 10 years of probation following his prison sentence. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved, FIRST ALERT: Storm Hitting Greater Boston Live Radar, Updates. We are understandably disturbed by what has been alleged, but need to make clear that this District took the proper actions once we were notified of a complaint, School Committee Chair Kellie Bresnehan and Superintendent of Schools John Antonucci said in a joint statement. The scandals have left residents in the seaside town upset and heartbroken and asking questions. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 0:00. Even though there was not enough evidence to warrant criminal charges be filed against Blake, the Districts independent investigation concluded that Blake had violated the Districts sexual harassment policy and code of conduct, the officials said. At that time and since then, the district worked closely with police, the district attorneys office and the state Department of Children and Families, according to Antonucci. Leads by Industry . In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. He saidthe departmentcould not bring charges against Blake because the alleged victim is dead. He has held positions in arena management, director of hockey, and coaching education coordinator roles. Police said criminal charges couldn't be filed because Parker was dead. 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But the reports existence and the underlying allegations only became public knowledge after the Foleys sued Blake and the Duxbury schools later that month. Former Whitman Boy Scouts leader gets 33 years in prison for sexually exploiting children, Former Norwell youth football coach agrees to plead guilty to child exploitation charges, Investigation: Duxbury gym teacher John Blake denied knowing alleged rape victim, having affair, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Follow her on Twitter @elizabethrkoh. Varsity BOys Hockey SCores. Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2021-22 season. His lawyer told the Herald last week they are contemplating a lawsuit of their own against the boys parents. A civil lawsuit has been filed against Blake and the school district by the parents of former student Parker Foley, who died of a drug overdose last year. SALEM A former Massachusetts youth hockey coach was sentenced to 13 to 15 years in state prison after pleading guilty to 16 child sexual assault charges. Blakes employment with the District terminated on April 1, 2021, Superintendent John Antonucci wrote in a letter on Wednesday, in which he said Duxbury has been rocked to its foundation by the rape allegation and anti-Semitic audibles. The investigative report, obtained by The Boston Globe on Tuesday, was launched late last year after Duxbury parents Joseph and Melissa Foley accused Blake, then a coach and middle school teacher, of raping their son Parker multiple times when he was a Duxbury Middle School student from 2005 through 2007. The first game for Duxbury comes a day afterHolocaust Remembrance Day. Toe Blake won eight Stanley Cup championships in 13 years coaching the Canadiens. After his son's death, Joe Foley said he went to the Duxbury Police Department. As part of their suit, filed in Plymouth Superior Court, theyre seeking $1 million. In a Wednesday interview, Morgan said people have reached out about Blake's behavior at the school since the lawsuit was filed and suggested there may be other victims. Blake was placed on leave from his teaching and coaching positions in November 2020, several weeks after Parker Foleys death, according to a statement from Antonucci and school committee Chair Kellie Bresnehan. Boys Hockey Coach. Throughout these interviews, colleagues of Blake reported that he had a sexual relationship with another teacher at the school in the early 2000s. "He had a wonderful personality.". He was most recently a reporter at The Lowell Sun. More. Morgan said the family previously requested a copy of the school district's investigation into Blake but was denied. Though the Foleys first reported the allegations anonymously in 2018, they came forward to school officials and local police last November after their son died of an accidental overdose. When you come to learn more as you dig, you realize just how many breakdowns there were in supervision, policies and personnel.. Duties/Physical Demands: Recruit qualified student-athletes Develop and train student-athletes within the guidelines of the program under the direction of the Head Football Coach Conduct the football program in accordance with all NCAA rules, including attendance at compliance meetings, appropriate record keeping for recruiting and . - Improve your search rank Since 2017, officials said, the district has investigated complaints against the teacher for questionable behavior, not for sexual abuse, though, as is alleged in the Foleys suit. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff In firing longtime hockey coach John Blake this spring, Duxbury school officials. Follow her on Twitter @hannaskrueger. 763.381.8219 - Athletics Main 763.381.8200 - Admissions. School superintendent John Antonucci announced last month he was leaving, with two years left in his contract, for the top school post in North Attleborough. Rick is a Massachusetts native and graduated from Boston University. Foley's. JOHN BLAKE WAS A GYM TEACHER AT DUXBURY MIDDLE SCHOOL HE ALSO COACHED HOCKEY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL. Head Coach David Maley. The parents of 27-year-old Joseph Parker Foley, who died from a drug overdose last year, are accusing his Duxbury Middle School gym teacher of raping him, the lawsuit alleges. Metro Elite Hockey League. Anthony Lewis Granato (born July 25, 1964) is an American former professional ice hockey left winger and current head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team. Its really very disheartening with what has happened, Gaine said Wednesday. Hes being dealt a very dirty hand here., In their suit, the Foleys also accuse the school district of gross negligence, claiming officials acted in such a way that amounted to deliberate, reckless and/or callous indifference about the health, welfare, and safety of Parker while Parker was under DPSs supervision, care and control..