Featured Image Credit: NFHS Network
Topics: US News, New York, Basketball, Sport, Twitter, Viral, Social Media
Liv Bridge
Topics: US News, New York, Basketball, Sport, Twitter, Viral, Social Media
A high school basketball coach has been sacked after he was caught doing an 'unacceptable' act to a girl after the team lost their game.
Jim Zullo, the girls' varsity basketball coach at Northville High School in Fulton County, New York, was caught on camera pulling the ponytail of a player, identified as Hailey Monroe.
The disturbing incident took place after a championship final held at Hudson Valley Community College on Friday (March 21), reports WRGB Albany.
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The footage, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the 81-year-old walking up to Monroe and yanking her hair.
The senior and all-time leading scorer had reportedly fouled out of the game, possibly leading to the Falcons' loss against LaFargeville, and was seen crying before Zullo approached her.
After Zullo attacked the girl, Monroe could be seen walking away while her teammate appeared to apparently intervene by stepping between them.
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The coach appeared visibly angry and was then spotted pointing at the teammate before the camera cut.
Taking to Twitter, viewers slammed the coach for his 'unacceptable behavior.'
One person wrote: "Yes, I get it, emotions are high. However, a coach's role is to coach, mentor, support, and provide guidance, not to abuse. That's why they are held to a higher standard than the players they coach."
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Others said they were touched by her pal leaping in to her defense.
"Unacceptable behavior from the coach! Kudos to the friend for standing up for her teammate and showing what it means to be a good friend," another wrote.
A second person wrote: "I appreciate her teammate standing up for her.. That's what a real teammate would do in that moment... She showed courage."
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In a statement to ABC affiliate News 10, Zullo claimed that Monroe had directed an expletive towards him after he told her to shake hands with the opposing team.
"Zullo said the girl had claimed him an expletive," a third viewer wrote on social media. "If that was the case then kick her off the team. But physically touching her is just wrong."
Northville Central School District also addressed the incident in a statement on its website which stated it is 'aware' and 'deeply disturbed' by the coach's conduct during the Class D New York State championship game.
"We hold our coaches to the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect for our student-athletes, and this behavior is completely unacceptable," the statement continued.
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"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.
It concluded: "We assure the public that this matter is being taken extremely seriously, and the District is actively addressing it. The District will be following up with the affected players and their families to provide support and outline the actions we are taking in response to this incident."