DUNDEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Dundee Community Schools said it has paused all school-based wrestling activities amid an investigation into hazing within the team.
Watch: Extended interview: Neil Stephenson talks about his son's experience with wrestling team and alleged bullying
Watch our story aired Tuesday morning from Brittany Toolis with new sound from parents
In a letter dated Friday, Dundee Superintendent Scott Leach said the investigation began last month after he received an anonymous complaint about alleged hazing involving wrestling team members.
According to the letter, the high school administration and the school resource officer began investigating. That investigation included interviews with wrestlers, coaches and parents.
"During the investigation, it was brought to our attention that videotaped evidence existed of additional incidents of hazing, fights and even physical assaults by wrestling team members against other wrestling team members," Leach wrote in the letter.
Some parents tell 7 News Detroit that the investigation should have happened years ago. Neil Stephenson says his son, Connor, was repeatedly targeted by the same group of wrestlers now under investigation.
"My son was found unconscious in a hallway with a broken nose and a concussion ... yeah, he was bullied alright," said Neil Stephenson.
Stephenson said his son Connor attended Dundee Community Schools from first grade through ninth grade.
According to Stephenson, his son was injured after a teammate hit him with a chair. He also alleges that the same teammate had slapped Connor in a previous incident. At a wrestling team barbecue, Stephenson says his son’s pants were pulled down in front of others.
He said, “I had to attend every practice to make sure he wasn’t going to get hurt. They’d ‘accidentally' slam him, or run an extra painful move on him.”
Stephenson says the issue goes beyond the students.
“The reason these kids are so bold right now is they’ve never been held accountable,” he said. “It was always ‘blame the victim.’”
He also claims some wrestling parents and coaches helped cover up the behavior for years. His son, now attending school in a different district, is still recovering emotionally from the experience.
“There are a lot of rumors going around about what’s in the videos,” Stephenson said. “And if even a quarter of it is true, it’s worse than anything that ever happened to my son.”
“Something has to happen to just make this end altogether,” he added. “And I hate to say it, but it’s going to have to be something extreme.”
The superintendent said the district has initiated a Title IX investigation that will be conducted by Thrun Law Firm. Leach also said the district will work closely with law enforcement as they conduct their own investigation.
In the letter, Leach said the district is encouraging anyone with information to contact them, and information can be shared anonymously using the form here, through OK2SAY by calling (855) 565-2729 or texting 652729 (OK2SAY). Tips can also be shared by emailing ok2say@mi.gov, online at ok2say.com and through the OK2SAY mobile app
"At Dundee Community Schools, we expect our student-athletes to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. This situation does not represent the vast majority of our outstanding student-athletes who compete with honor, grit and integrity," Leach said.
He also said they will be providing updates as they learn more information.
"Working together, I am confident we can emerge from this matter a stronger Viking community," Leach wrote.
Dundee police also confirm they are involved in the investigation.
