Featured Image Credit: YouTube/CBS6Albany
Topics: Basketball, New York, School, Viral, Community
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Basketball, New York, School, Viral, Community
The high school basketball coach who was fired for pulling a student's ponytail has issued an apology.
On Friday (March 21), Northville High School lost to La Fargeville, with their opponents winning the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D finals 43-37.
The event was live streamed and there was a shocking moment that look place after the game where Northville coach Jim Zullo pull on the ponytail of Hailey Monroe.
Monroe seemed emotional following the team's loss before Zullo came over and pulled her hair before proceeding to berate her.
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Reportedly Monroe had sworn at the coach after he'd told her to shake hands with their opponents.
See the appalling moment here:
The footage quickly went viral and Zullo has since been fired from his job.
Northville Central School District has responded to the incident.
"The Northville Central School District is aware of, and deeply disturbed by, the conduct of the Coach of the Girls’ Varsity basketball team during the Class D New York State championship game," it said, NBC News reported.
"The District is committed to ensuring that this type of behavior has no place within our programs, and we will continue to uphold the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families and community expect and deserve. This individual will no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District."
Now, Zullo has issued an apology and admitted that his actions were unacceptable.
“I deeply regret my behavior following the loss to La Fargeville Friday night in the Class D state championship game," the statement began, as per WNYT.
"I want to offer my sincerest apologies to Hailey and her family, our team, the good folks at Northville Central Schools and our community.
"As a coach, under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player, and I am truly sorry. I wish I could have those moments back. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached girls basketball at Northville the past two years, especially last season, which was a difficult time for our family.
"I am super proud of every one of these young women and what they accomplished. I know each of them will go on to do great things and I wish them well."