Football: St. Paul investigating hazing incident

Coach Marijon Ancich of Santa Fe Springs St. Paul has been placed on leave while the school investigates a hazing incident, NBC4 is reporting.

Ancich is in his third stint at St. Paul and is entering his 37th season with the Swordsmen.

The incident allegedly occurred in the St. Paul locker room last Saturday. The school principal sent out a letter informing parents that the coaches of the freshman program would take over varsity practices and coach the team on an interim basis pending outcome of the inquiry.

Ancich is the second winningest coach in California history. He has 347 career victories, 10 behind Bob Ladouceur, the coach at Concord De La Salle.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Comments

[3 Year SP football letterman]

I played for Ancich for three years in the 90s and this incident took place back then as well. As a 10th grader I saw everyone being herded into the den to run the "gauntlet". Basically it's where both sides of the locker room are lined with returning players wielding cleats, weight belts, broom sticks, etc. New players run from the showers to the only exit, some were ordered to walk it. I grabbed my stuff and walked to the front of the school to leave instead. Why go through it when I could get hurt and not be able to play ball at all? About a week later I was escorted into the den from the JV locker room by our offensive captain without incident.
I bonded with my varsity teammates over three years by working hard in countless practices and giving my all in rugged Del-Rey League games. Without my teamamates I never would have earned all-league recognition or a football scholarship. A new generation of Swordsmen won't find any glory or accomplishment in beating each other either. Build each other up, don't tear yourselves down with ignorant hazing rituals, Swordsmen. Times have changed, people don't don't have a "boys will be boys" attitude anymore..

[Tom Araya]

First of all what happens in the den stays in the den! I attended both St. John Bosco and St. Paul and ther is no comparison! I was was faced by the same thing when tranfered to St. Paul but I chose to stand up for myself and gained the respect of my brothers. See if u allowed yourself to be hazed then you were weak. Coach A really doesn't know about anything because anyone who played for him knows he respected our area the "Den"! only proven swordsmen have the honor of stepping in there. what coach has done in his time at St. Paul is nothing short of a miracle when you consider that they have around 300 boys compared to other schools 5 to 6000 but yet he competes and dominates! The parents of this young man have failed him they fought him that when faced by adversity cry till you get your way! When I told my father he took me out back and tought me to defend myself. To the rest of the swordsmen keep tradition alive for this proves it works do you really want a coward lined up next to you in the fourth quarter! "In life there are no short cuts gentlemen!"

[Robert Giuffre]

St Paul has always been a "dirty" program. They are no longer a force in high school football which is apparent by the fact that they have a 70ish head coach and no Pac 5 school will lower themseleves to schedule St. Paul.

[St.Paul Mom]

Not that big of a deal Player? Maybe you were one of the lucky ones whom didn't need 18 stitches! As Moms, no we don't know how it is when your on the field. But I recall as a St.Paul Football Mom working all summer in the hot kitchen preparing your meals while you practiced. So yes we as parents were your support so much for each player to be thankful for. As for Aye Trama, I sure hope you continue to heal. So the question remains...How much longer will this be tolerated? Until an unfortunate player comes close to losing his life in that harmless "den". Think about that for a minute? Now how would you feel if that was your son?

[Aye Trama]

It took 18 stiches to close a gash above my right eye caused by the "little paddling" of a cleat/chair in the den in '90-'91. I never mentioned it to the powers that be and took it like...well..a man. Hope those involved don't have to walk thru life with scar tissue and heal in time for the class reunion. What happens in the den stayed in the den, guess thats one of those things that has changed along with salt tabs, cell phones, internet, and rites of passage.

[Player]

It is tradition first of all and it's not even that big of a deal. Were all brothers and we all love eachother. Football isn't just a game to us and sometimes moms don't realize it because they have never been in our shoes. I love st Paul and we always face adversity but grow more as a family.

[St Paul Mom]

This should have been taken care of so long ago. As a Swordsman parent this so called "initation" has been happening year after year with the coach's awareness. But because nothing has been done to stop this, players are told this is tradition? Shame on you coaches! If a team is being coached to play hard and have fun on the field, how can this crap of hazing be tolerated? Lots of drama? Yes. But blame comes from above. Coaches? You should all be replaced! There are so many good quality, experienced and qualified coaches waiting to take your place. Job search: St Paul High!

[Football DAd]

Well Mario, you're correct that times have changed, but that's why there's non-contact sports like golf, tennis, and swimming. Our Hell week use to take place at Fort Irwin. Even cheerleading is tough, which recently was declared a non-sport. By the way, no need to feel sorry. It's athletics and my parent's ass- kicking that kept me straight. No, I couldn't afford salt tablets, so I drank from a fountain.

[C-los]

It's more serious than what reports are, according to numerous players from the school it was a ridiculous act that should probly have some kids booted from the team also, if the investigation is done correctly.

[Mario]

Well. Football DAad I am sure the times have changed, just like I am sure you used to take salt tablets, and no cell phones or internet were available. LOL you get my drift, parents will protect their kids from stupid crap like that and I feel sorry that your coaches did that. But yes the kids and times have changed. No more non sense like that!

[Football DAd]

Damn! it was just a little paddling, my dad use to kick the crap out of me and my brothers, then the coaches at Garfield would do the same. Bulldogs Class of 78.
Hope the kids and their families are healing though. Too much Drama.