Deseret News | Reader comments: 3 East High football players arrested, kicked off team

Reader comments
3 East High football players arrested, kicked off team

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Tom | 1:44 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Thanks for the positive spin at the end. With such an unfortunate series of events and stupid behavior by those kids, its nice to know that the team is pulling through this and that the 3 are being held accountable. The article was written well and I applaud East's coach for stepping up and handling this well. Good luck to all the East boys the rest of the year.

Ron Remund | 8:11 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Coach Whitehead is a great coach. His greatness is in his ability to make sure his players become good, outstanding citizens. Good Job Coach. Keep up the good work. Telafalala!

Way to Go! | 9:13 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

I know first hand that this kind of stuff goes on at other schools and very little if anything is done depending on the "athlete" that is committing the crime. I applaud you in what you did coach! I also applaud the team in their support to the three boys as this was DEFINATELY not their faults!

Comments continue below

East Fan | 9:32 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Coach Whitehead is an amazing.

Steve Shipp | 10:22 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Coach Whitehead is a class act. He is a coach in whom a parent can have confidence he will not only teach your son football, but build his character as well. The conduct of these three boys is not representative of the team, the coaches, or the school. I am glad to see appropriate action being taken.

A parent | 10:56 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Are you kidding!!! Are we to believe that the coaches and administrators had absolutely no idea that this disgusting behavior was going on around them. This is not just a one time event, this happened several times. Where is the out rage, the coaches didn't know, but almost every student did. These acts took place at school, a play where we expect our students should be protected. This isn't throwing a kid in a locker. Wake up people

Ken | 11:00 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

A rarity here: Courage displayed on so many levels:
1. A student "ratted out" his fellow teammates to an assistant coach (the guilty 3 were all starters).

2. The assistant coach immediately reported the incident to the head coach.

3. The head coach immediately notified the proper authorities.

So often we read about players, teams, coaches, and even school administrators who try and cover up such events, but EVERYONE involved took the courageous road and placed honor above football.

I feel bad that these events occurred, but hopefully others will see the positive outcome to this situation and take courage to eliminate these heinous acts once and for all.

Josh Shudup to East Fan | 11:13 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

That's just too wierd. Hmm... I wonder if all your East High football players treat eachother that way? Either way... Way to go you East High Leopards! You show your true colors with this one!

Re: a parent | 11:20 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Do you mean to tell us that teachers/coaches know everything that goes on at a school? Did you ever do anything that no teacher/coach/parent knew about? GET REAL! Kids know, and have always known, how to get away with things; even the disgusting crap described here. Really, what would you have coaches do? Be in the locker rooms every second watching all the kids dress/shower? Should teachers now escort every kid to the bathroom as well? As far as what is being reported, this situation was handled correctly. If not, please educate us all on what could have been done differently.

Anonymous | 11:21 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

It has nothing to do with courage. You can't sit back and talk about how good of job the coach did. He did what he was suppose to do nothing more and nothing less. It's funny to me how we praise people for doing what they're suppose to do. It's their job!!!

another parent | 11:33 a.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Yes, heinous activities took place. Events that should have never taken place, let alone on the campus of a public school.

A previous post questioned the outrage. I assure you that there was outrage. I assure you that Coach Whitehead, his staff, his varsity players, the sophomore players, and the administration were outraged. There was no "lax" attitude in dealing with this terrible event.

I assure you that this is eating Aaron Whitehead up. Many people outside looking in do not realize how much a coach puts into a program. Coach Whitehead places more into his program than the average coach. He places honor and character above winning. Coach Whitehead did do the right thing at the right time. As a previous post stated, a lot of courage was displayed.

RE: Anonymous | 12:04 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

His job is to coach. Not police perverted children. He did do more than most coaches. He did more than his Job.

Anonymous | 12:28 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

What are you talking about? He did what he was suppose to do. What any coach would have done. Don't talk about courage when they do what they are suppose to do. Good for the coach for doing what he's suppose to do. It's nice to know that if my kid gets sexually assaulted a coach will stand up for him or her. But it wasn't like it was a tough decision on his part to make and to call the authorities. Any coach would have done that. Don't make him sound like he's one of a kind. It was his program where this happened...

1st parent... | 12:29 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Where are you from? The "perfect world" of Lone Peak, you say.

re: anonymous | 12:48 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Yes it happened in his program. However, worse have happened in other programs, high school and college that were never reported. Perhaps the coach did the obligatory thing, but courage was shown by the team mate to stand up to the three bullies. I wish we were as all honorable as you.

to anonymous . . . | 1:02 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Yes he did his job. Courage or no courage, he did what he was supposed to. He didn't hide anything when contacted by the press, he didn't pass it off to district personnel or administrators, he took accountability for his program. Courage. Well, it's debatable, I think so, but you are entitled to your opinion. You make it seem like it's another day at the office. What he did was not easy. Honorable? Absolutely. A lot of programs would try to hide this. The coach reported it immediately and took immediate action.

Mishandled | 1:03 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

It is hard to hide assaults happening at a school like this between August 30th, September 3rd and 6th until September 11th.

Instead of calling an administrator or the police that night (I'm sure coach Whithead knows both numbers) he waited until the next day. The police were informed the day after that. And posters in this blog are saying that this is what coaches, teachers, and administrators are supposed to do? They are dangerously wrong.

I'm sorry, but if one of my children went to East High School, they would be pulled out today and not returned with these people responsible for their safety. As an educator of 15 years I question the safety of students at East High School. Mandatory reporting of any abuse is supposed to be done the same day. This should have been reported at the first whisper of any danger to students, period. I hope the UDE looks into the licensing of these individuals and takes appropriate and swift action for the safety of all students.

Athlete's Mom | 1:20 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

My athletes do not attend East, but I had to write in. Parents of all athletes at East should be the first to applaud the school's actions. Contrary to some student's and parent's beliefs, the administration, teachers and coaches are NOT babysitters. They are NOT responsible for the student's behavior or moral ethics. That is taught at home, that is the responsibility of PARENTS! And if the student brings the sort of unacceptable behavior, that these students are accused of to the school, one should take a closer look at their personal lives and NOT BLAME the school staff. I also applaud the student who was brought up with the moral ethics at home to stand up and report the incident he witnessed. Thank you for making a stand for the young men in your school and for letting all student athletes, who a few consider themselves above the law, know that unacceptable behavior is just that and that no matter the reason given "hazing" or otherwise, they are finished. Hopefully, East is working with the parents of these young men in finding them some help.

Whiteboard | 1:21 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

When I think of hazing (and by no means do I condone it), I think of a large group of upperclassmen putting the newbies through humiliating activities.

With this case--three boys acting independently of the team, stalking and attacking a lone student--it sounds like sexual predation, and something so violent and deviant can't be lessened with the rote "boys will be boys" cliche.

The suspects involved are not looking to initiate others into their football fraternity, they're acting on psychopathic urges that should be met with counseling, jail time and being listed on the registry.

Insider | 1:23 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

The head coach was informed by the sophomore coach after 10 pm that night. Prior to school starting the next day, the head coach was in the principal's office reporting it. Where the previous post is wrong, it was reported to the police within minutes of the coach and the principal meeting. Only the third attack was reported to the coach. The other two attacks came to light during the police investigation. The three players were arrested shortly there after.

Alternate | 1:29 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

To 1st Parent. Your comment about Lone Peak is very disappointing. This has zero to do with the LP situation.

To Mishandled. Your comments are also disappointing. Based on the facts that I read and I am sure you read, the school officials acted correctly. I am afraid that in your world there would be no officials, teachers or schools.

??? | 1:38 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

I have no idea who coach whitehead is, I'm a basketball coach up north, so I know the demon that he deals with from time to time in working with teenage athletes, but I hope you critics out there back off. If you think kids are safer in another school, I say good luck to you. That's a foolish thought. Coach, you did your job and thanks for doing it the right way. The point is it was dealt with and hopefully doesn't happen again. I hope we all fear for the kids and what they go through today. Why would you criticise someone that is in this situation. I promise that coach whitehead didn't ask for this...

Mishandled | 1:52 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

re:Insider
Important facts that were left out of the newspaper story.

Thanks

Mishandled | 2:10 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

re:alternate

Sorry to disappoint you, but I will not lose sleep over it. Once again, the way the story was reported suggests that too much time passed between the time it was reported to the coach and then reported to the authorities. During that timeline another student might have been assualted, or proper counseling might not have been made availible to the victims, and they might have hurt themselves in the process. Youth are fragile. In my world children are protected. In your world, officials, teachers and schools are protected. I like my world.

Supporter | 2:15 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

God bless Coach Whitehead, his assistants, the victims, and the players on the East High Football Team. Lets all hope that this incident does not fester in the news and that the team and coaches can get it behind them.

yeah! | 3:04 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

two years ago , a kid was allowed to play on the 2A level while everyone in the town knew the guy stole the dope from the evidence box then eliminated himself by testing positive on his test ,one he stayed up all nite studying for , while other fine athletes sat the bench. It comes down to the philosopy of the coaches and then they expect parents to be so stupid to buy into what they are selling ..sorry but we're not fools ..if it had been my kid , he would have been off the team so FAST!

Kasele | 3:06 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

This is sad...I hope that these kids will be punished to the fullest, and I hope that the kid that this unfortunate event happened to, will be able to recover from the embarrasement and this picture that will linger in his mind forever, Coaches please...don't tell me that you do not know that things like this happened, but you know all the plays of the opponents..wake up and smell the damn freaking coffee, We were not there possibly to know what happened, but I think that this is a COWARDLY act from kids that does not have an ounce of values in their lives, everyone makes mistakes..
this is just sad, I hope that the Football team will be able to put this aside and concentrate on the upcoming games that lies ahead of them.....SAD very, very SAD.......good luck

M | 3:33 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

I think it is great that this is being taken care of but to be kicked off the football team? BIG WUP! These boys should NEVER be allowed back in school and quite frankly should have their butts thrown in jail, the disgusting little punks!!!

Sickened | 4:53 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

These boys need the book thrown at them (whatever that happens to be for juviniles, and assuming they are all younger than 18)...

uhh | 7:05 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

Seriusly get over it.. if your student doesnt go to East then dont worry about it. Mind your own business.

uhh wakeup | 8:07 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

uhh this is a serious perverse problem. This is a bad reflection of East, the community and the state. It is people like you who put their head in the sand that allow behaviors like this to take place. For the student that reported this to the coach should be proud for being brave enough to do it.

uhh | 8:07 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

one of the 3 would not happen to be one of your kids is it?

East 75 | 8:24 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

I went to East All my Kids went to East. Good Job Coaches...Whitehead IS A MAN AMONG MEN.

Being a man | 9:30 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

I know that I hazed a few players as a high school athlete, and the so-called "victims" thanked me later for helping to tough them up and learn how to defend themselves. East High is running from a legal entanglement as they ought to be, but its a rouse to say that hazing is the issue at hand here.

Anonymous | 9:56 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

For those of you who have come to the conclusion that all of East High's athletes share tendencies similar to those that were demonstrated by the three students mentioned in the article are very naieve. If there are three people in a society that commit murder, do you assume that all memebers of the society are murderers? Of course not! So why do you make the assumption that all athletes at East High are rapists with homosexual tendencies?

CTR | 10:10 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

I am glad that this incident is being called what it is...sexual abuse, not hazing. Hopefully the victims of this abuse are getting some help.

Jeffrey Herr | 10:17 p.m. Sept. 27, 2007

I was the administrator at East in charge of athletics from 2004-06 and Coach Whitehead is outstanding coach and leader of young men. I can also say this for the other coaches (both boys and girls)I worked with who are currently there. East's coaches have always insisted on doing things the right way. Sometimes that cost them victories but the integrity and honesty of these coaches will be their bench mark long after they are gone. When Coach Whitehead moves on to the next level, the university that hires him will be very lucky and will have a program of which they can be proud. I am proud of you, Aaron, your staff and my friends in the administration of East for doing the right thing.

Coach Max | 3:42 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

My hats off to the Coach whose bearing the burden of all this. How could these kids do this to the Coach? I mean, really, didn't they think of his reputation at all?

I'm glad the Coach from East High is getting so much support from the community, God knows he's gone through so much already.

SLC gal | 7:57 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

Having attended East High myself (recent enough to have attended classes in the new building),Iam shocked and saddened by this horrible act demonstrated by fellow "Leopards". I am glad to hear Coach Whitehead and other adminstrators have taken the appropriate actions for all involved and hope the young men involved recieve the counseling they need.

GO LEOPARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi | 8:27 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

Ewwwwww, yuck.

anonymous goes to east | 8:31 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

this didnt happen more than once in the locker room. only a select few saw what happened and they reported it. this media coverage is just bringing them down. it happened three weeks ago they have moved on and so should you.

JJ | 8:46 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

Hazing is one thing. While still against the rules, and those caught doing it should be suspended, it is generally things like making someone push a penny with your nose across the floor, or some other juvenile act.

This is not a case of hazing. This is criminal and devient behavior. When it crosses into this type of event, whether it be of a sexual nature, binge drinking, or physical abuse it cannot be tolerated on any level.

I don't really care if the seniors make the underclassmen who wish to participate in chasing a pig around in the mud trying to catch it. (Yes, some people don't mind being hazed.) If they get caught, they broke the rules and should be suspended, but it doesn't end in any harm to the students.

Gretzky | 8:51 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

Unfortunately, there are thousands of "men" out there who have done varying degrees of similarity to what these 3 boys did at East High. These 3 will be made an example of but this will not fully atone for the sins of the sporting "fathers." For all of those that have been bullied and hazed as "frosh" in high school it's taken how many centuries to deal with this kind of perversion and intimidation??? these are certainly crimes but they are only doing what they were taught by their previous teammates of sports. i suspect these 3 perpetrators don't realize what they were doing was a crime and we may find out that they have had similar actions performed against them when they were younger. thank you to East high for attempting to break the cycle of sports crimes.

Anonymous | 9:23 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

these boys should for sure be put on sexual registry! that is just not right, hazing is not about sexual acts!

SE-Missouri Mom | 9:31 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

I know how you community feels. We have a similar occurance here in South Missouri. About 22 male basketball players from the East Carter County R2 school district of Ellsinore, Mo. attended a basketball camp at Lyon College, Batesville Arkansas the week of June 10-13, where allegations of horrible sexual hazing of boys ranging from ages 13-15 by older boys and was reportedly caught on a cell phone and found by a parent of one of the students involved. Although sexual hazing has been alleged, the local prosecutor has indicated in a Batesville newspaper interview that he intends to file far less serious charges than parents of the victims had sought. Prosecutor McSpadden (a veteran criminal attorney but newly elected prosecutor) said there could be no sexual hazing because there was no evidence of sexual gratification. Further research on his part will find that the sexual hazing issue is about power and domination over a victim. In other words, past sexual hazing cases elsewhere have been regarded by prosecutors as male-on-male sexual assault--without any gratification on the part of perpetrators except to assert power and dominance. WHAT??????? We all need to band together!!!!

Vernon | 9:37 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

Those posters who are comparing this to rape are right on. Call it what it is. Whether it is male or female, locker room or bedroom, "friend" or stranger it is rape and should be treated as such.
Those who say Coach Whitehead was just doing his job, I'm here to tell you that it was far above what some coaches would do. There are some who not only turn a blind eye, but actually encourage "hazing". I know of once situation where a coach allowed athletes on his team to verbally and mentally abuse team members. He actually did it himself. He is now an administrator at a school on the east side of the SL valley. The abuse needs to stop. The actions of East High coaches and administrators should be applauded by all. I would be glad to take my children to a school that has such responsible leaders.

Jeff | 9:49 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

I think what the coaches did was great. I live out of state and our coaches denied what was going on and fought to keep kids who were hazing on the football team.

kevinfromduluth | 9:58 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

I was involved in a simular incident when I was in school many years ago...believe me, the coaches and other players knew what was going on and more than likely tried to cover it up....IF he's such a good coach, why not cancel the season..this would send a message that is you do the crime, know about the crime, and refuse to report the crime, you all pay the price

Doesn't happen everywhere | 10:00 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

Those who think this happens everywhere are just ignoring the problem they have.

I played football for a state championship program, a USA Today top 25 ranked team. In my 3 years playing in high school I never saw or heard of any act of hazing. We knew that it was unacceptable behavior and that the coaches would come down hard on any hazing type of behavior. Hazing is not a requisite for team unity.

I have no idea when the coaches learned of this or how quickly they acted, nor if they handled it well or not.

I do know that coaches can create a culture over time where hazing becomes unacceptable at any level. Maybe this was a first step towards that end. I do not know enough about this program to know.

ricardo | 10:01 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007

This kind of thing just didn't happen (nor did anyone dream of it happening when I was a student on the football team in midwestern state (1960's). And don't try to tell me some bull about we just didn't hear about it. IT WASN'T HAPPENING. We weren't continually exposed to and overwhelmed by violent films, rap lyrics, pornography, etc...and sexual perversion wasn't a lifestyle or accepted as normal behaviour.
It makes me very scared for my grandsons when I see what kind of anger, disrespect, and perversion are present in today's youth. But when you present abnormal, anti-social, uncivilized behaviour as the norm and obscenity as freedom of speech, when God is no longer permitted to be part of our country and our heritage as our forefathers embraced, and when liberal socialism and political correctness are promoted by the mainstream media, what can we expect as a Nation and as a people?
The parnets of these sezual perverts and thugs should be closely investigated, as well.

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