Somers superintendent: Yorktown boys did not harass girls team

<p>The superintendent of Somers schools says an investigation shows the Yorktown boys lacrosse team did not harass the Somers girls lacrosse team, as had been rumored.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Jun 8, 2017, 8:43 PM

Updated 2,511 days ago

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The superintendent of Somers schools says an investigation shows the Yorktown boys lacrosse team did not harass the Somers girls lacrosse team, as had been rumored.
The season-ending girls varsity lacrosse game between Somers and Yorktown back on May 25 sparked an internal investigation over accusations of intimidation and harassment between the Yorktown boys and the Somers girls.
The visiting Somers girls team was preparing for the match in the boys locker room while the Yorktown girls used their own locker room. Administrators say the boys were unaware the Somers team was in there and that some members of the boys team entered the locker room.
Following an investigation by both schools, Somers Superintendent Dr. Raymond Blanch concluded, "Unfortunately, in social media there was introduced the idea of sexual harassment of the Somers' girls team. Our fact-finding did not uncover any evidence of any sexual harassment."
Dr. Blanch also added that he did not provide Yorktown the full opportunity to complete their investigation saying, “In no way was it my intention to implicate the entire Yorktown boys' lacrosse team."
The Yorktown varsity boys lacrosse team went on to win the state semifinals in Albany. Their school superintendent revealed that their investigation yielded the same results as Somers adding, "Our goal is to ensure all students are respectful, responsible and safe at all time in all places."


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