"I hope it goes without saying that we are deeply disturbed by these allegations. He was 59. A civil lawsuit was filed last week against Blake and the school district by the parents of former student Parker Foley, who died of a drug overdose last year. NBC10 Boston repeatedly tried to contact Blake at his home and on the phone, but attempts so far have been unsuccessful. What Happened to the Money?' "Not one of those investigations was able to identify actionable evidence of wrongdoing that would result in criminal or personnel charges," Antonucci said. Blake's defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, had him take a polygraph test, which he allegedly passed with flying colors. Hes a decent guy, hes taught thousands of students over decades. Stevens . Brian Poile. DUXBURYThe Duxbury gym teacher accused of repeatedly raping a middle school studenthad multiple complaints filed against him going back at least four years, but previous internalinvestigations found no wrongdoing. In theTuesday letter, Antonucci said the school district took proper actions when officialswere notified of the rape complaint. School superintendent John Antonucci announced last month he was leaving, with two years left in his contract, for the top school post in North Attleborough. The alleged sexual abuse pushed Parker to a life of drug abuse to escape the mental pain and anguish that followed, the lawsuit claims. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Blake was the head coach of the Duxbury High School boys hockey team.Blake has not been . 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But Parker said nothing for years. Guy Carbonneau was the head coach of the Canadiens from 2006 to 2009. The Duxbury teacher accused of raping a 12-year-old student has been fired and police have received more than a dozen tips in the case, the school superintendent announced as the districts high school football team that used anti-Semitic play calls prepares to return to the field for the first time. Get the latest news on COVID-19 delivered to you. April 6, 2021 / 5:50 PM The school district denies the allegations. Where Parker is deceased and there are no first-hand witnesses to the alleged sexual abuse, other than Mr. Blake, Mr. Blakes credibility in denying the allegations is critical to these findings and conclusions, she wrote. The idea that a member of our staff would have hurt a student is an educators worst nightmare," Antonucci said. More. The ensuing controversy unearthed other complaints in recent years that had also been made against Blake, though school administrators said those had been found meritless or did not violate school policy. Joseph and Melissa Foley accused Blake of sexually assaulting their son, Parker, on multiple occasions between 2005 and 2007, and said the abuse only stopped when Parker threatened Blake with a knife, according to the newspaper. Ryan also found Blakes responses to be evasive when questioned about Parker and if a student had ever confronted him with a knife, which Parker told several people he did to stop the alleged abuse. After his son's death, Joe Foley said he went to the Duxbury Police Department. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! The 2018 investigation was based on an anonymous letter and an anonymous phone call with no details about the students age, name, or other identifying information, the school said. Prior to his firing last week, Blake had been on leave pending the completion of the comprehensive external investigation and termination proceedings. Foley died of a drug overdose last year at age 27, according to The Associated Press. However, with no identifying information about the victim, the 2018 investigation went cold, the superintendent noted. In the Vermont case, he is accused of inappropriately touching a child at Jay Peak resort while attending a youth hockey tournament in February 2016. What happened to Parker when he was in middle school, how did it happen?" Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), Duxbury High athletic director is on his way out amid coaching scandals, Duxbury gym teacher accused of rape files counterclaim, What we know about the investigation into Duxbury footballs anti-Semitic play calls, Harvard Law School student arrested in assault on campus, allegedly used homophobic slur, authorities say, Lawsuit accuses a longtime Massachusetts teacher of child sex abuse while working at Maine summer camp, Family of former Stoughton police explorer files wrongful death lawsuit against 3 ex-officers. He saidthe departmentcould not bring charges against Blake because the alleged victim is dead. "The focus is really about Parker. A middle school teacher in Duxbury, Massachusetts, is accused of sexually assaulting a student 15 years ago. "It broke my heart Parker couldn't come forward with this, but in no way do I judge him," said his father, Joe Foley. Blakes lawyer, Kevin Reddington, argued the accusations against his client are way off-base, the Globe reported. Neither Blake nor his attorney, Kevin Reddington,responded to requests for comment. The tumult, paired with another scandal involving Duxburys football team, has prompted ongoing questions about how school administrators handled the long-standing concerns and some high-ranking departures. He amassed 175 victories and four state championships as a football coach at STAB. The ensuing controversy unearthed other complaints in recent years that had also been made against Blake, Duxbury parents say officials downplayed misconduct claims against now-fired hockey coach, Our little town has a serious problem: Duxbury reels as school scandals raise questions of transparency, Duxbury High football team used antisemitic audibles since 2010 in practice, investigator reports. The family received a summary report that omitted all the names, including their own, and other information they provided to the investigators. Blake also regularly inspected male students gym clothes in the locker room before class and would have been able to hold someone back if they were not properly dressed, a former student told Ryan. Antonucci said in the letter that nothing came of the district'sinvestigations. Amiddle school teacher in Duxbury, Massachusetts, has been fired amid accusations of sexually assaulting a student 15 years ago. He was most recently a reporter at The Lowell Sun. A gym teacher at Duxbury Middle School has been accused of sexually assaulting a now-deceased former student 15 years ago. Though the other teacher confirmed that the relationship occurred, Blake denied any involvement, according to the report. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). While I fully understand that nothing can restore what the defendant so callously took from the victims and their families, it is my fervent hope that this plea will make clear that none of this was their fault, Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement. The kids made a mistake, but the adults made a bigger mistake by not calling this out., During Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember and acknowledge the heroes who stood up against the Holocaust, he added. When you come to learn more as you dig, you realize just how many breakdowns there were in supervision, policies and personnel. All rights reserved (About Us). - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! An investigation was launched with an outside firm, and the district remained in close contact with Duxbury police and the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office. The superintendent said police have received over a dozen anonymous tips in relation to this case, and have followed up on every one of them. "Over the last 25 years, I have proudly taught and coached thousands upon thousands of students and athletes, from the youth to the high school level, with respect and professionalism," he said. A lawyer hired by Duxbury Public Schools to investigate allegations of sexual assault found that longtime hockey coach John Blake was not credible after he allegedly lied about a sexual relationship with another teacher and said he didnt remember the student he is accused of repeatedly molesting several years ago. John Blake Overview. Free Tools . He is currently a member of the USA Hockey's coaching education program and acts as a coaching director/adviser to many youth programs. In addition to suing former teacher John Blake who was the high school varsity boys hockey coach the parents are also bringing the lawsuit against Duxbury Public Schools. The Foleys are seeking $1 million in a lawsuit filed in Plymouth Superior Court in March against Blake and the Duxbury Public Schools. The boy was 12 at the time and died from a drug overdose last year, his parents allege in a lawsuit against Blake and the school. The University of Oklahoma. Morgan said another person contacted him and said Blake would have boys remove their shirts while he touched their backs under the guise of performing ascoliosis test. He also asked them to keep it quiet. We only use official stats. Blake's wife, Freda, said he had a "heart-related emergency" at his home in Dallas on Thursday morning. A new investigation was launched with an outside firm while the district remained in close contact with the Duxbury Police Department and the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office.. Foley's mental torment from the assaults pushed him into a life of drug abuse, the lawsuit alleges. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. People are making assumptions about John Blake that are way off-base," Reddington told the Globe. "He had a wonderful personality.". "Over the last 25 years, I have proudly taught and coached thousands upon. Former Oklahoma head coach John Blake has died, the university confirmed. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Police are now investigating more than a dozen anonymous tips related to the case, according to The Boston Globe. Seeing more of the detailed report, there is nothing in there that makes me question what we thought had occurred, Joseph Foley told the Globe. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) The findings in the report, which concluded in March, prompted the district to begin termination proceedings against Blake. Throughout these interviews, colleagues of Blake reported that he had a sexual relationship with another teacher at the school in the early 2000s. But it is like peeling back layers of an onion. SALEM A former Massachusetts youth hockey coach was sentenced to 13 to 15 years in state prison after pleading guilty to 16 child sexual assault charges. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "We remain frustrated that we were unable to take legal or personnel action, but multiple investigations conducted by the Duxbury Public Schools, the Duxbury Police Department and the Plymouth County district attorneys office failed to yield any actionable evidence," Antonucci said in the email. He served as head coach of the United States men's national ice hockey team at the 2018 Winter Olympics.Previously, he also served as head coach of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Colorado Avalanche, as well as with the . An attorney tasked by Duxbury Public Schools with investigating sexual assault allegations against a former hockey coach said she was left with serious concerns about his credibility, particularly when he was asked about his relationship with the middle-school-aged student in question, as well as about a sexual relationship with another teacher. "The sexual assaults only came to a stop when Parker brought a knife to school and threatened to kill Blake if he ever touched him again.". Morgan says the alleged sex assaults happened multiple times. Blake has denied the allegations, according to the Globe, and his lawyer, Kevin Reddington, said Blake took passed a polygraph test Monday. John Blake, a longtime gym teacher and hockey coach at Duxbury Middle School, was placed on leave in the fall. Varsity BOys Hockey SCores. - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) After his son's death, Foley says he went to the Duxbury Police Department. "It broke my heart Parker couldn't come forward with this, but in no way do I judge him," said his father, Joe Foley. Students held back from gym class were supposed to sit in the bleachers,but no one ever checked on Parker Foley when he was held back, Morgan said in the lawsuit. . "Blake has been on leave from the school district since November pending the completion of a comprehensive external investigation and termination proceedings," Antonuccisaid in the letter. Lawyer Regina Ryan, hired by the school district to lead the investigation, didnt find explicit evidence of sexual abuse, but did say that Blake was not credible, the Globe reported. Since 2017, officials said, the district has investigated complaints against the teacher for questionable behavior, not for sexual abuse, though, as is alleged in the Foleys suit. In the coming weeks and months, we are going to need to identify who we are and what we believe in as a school district and community, Antonucci said. Prew received 1,282 days of jail credit during the sentencing. Sign up for Joe's weekly Watchdog and From the Archives newsletters on our newsletter page for the latest investigative and enterprise reports. The school district says it conducted its own independent investigation in 2020, though, and concluded Blake violated its sexual harassment policy and code of conduct. The lawsuit alleges that Blake sexually assaulted Foley in the school in 2006, and that the school didn't do enough to keep the student safe. April 23, 2017. The lawyer said others have told him they reported Blake for inappropriate comments and behavior that went unpunished. John Blake, a current gym teacher and hockey coach at Duxbury Middle School, has been placed on leave. Unfortunately, it is not that simple, as I have serious concerns regarding Mr. Blakes credibility.. MILTON The head of Boston College High School's ice hockey program has been placed on administrative leave after police say he drunkenly crashed his car into another and drove . In the lawsuit, Morgan said Parker Foley turned to drug abuse to deal with the mental anguish of Blake's alleged abuse, which led to his overdose death. Morgan said in the lawsuit that Blake would hold children back from gym class in 2006, acting as a "gatekeeper. A three-time graduate of the University of Minnesota, Hamre brings more than 25 years of hockey experience to the Gophers coaching staff. First published on April 6, 2021 / 5:50 PM. As for the football team, they are scheduled to resume play Friday night against Marshfield the first game since the news of the insulting play calls. Joe Dwinell is the Herald's Executive Editor and investigative/enterprise reporter. He was 59. . Career Record: 3 Years, 12-22, .353 Win% (at major schools) College Football Coaches. When accusations surfaced in 2018 and again in 2020, the district said it launched investigations and placed Blake on leave. But the 30-page report concluded that Blake who made several statements contradicted by colleagues and former students was not a reliable witness. A civil lawsuit has been filed against Blake and the school district by the parents of former student Parker Foley, who died of a drug overdose last year. Assistant GM . Toe Blake won eight Stanley Cup championships in 13 years coaching the Canadiens. I commend the boys for their bravery in coming forward and for their willingness to testify at trial.. More: Investigation: Duxbury gym teacher John Blake denied knowing alleged rape victim, having affair Prew is facing similar charges in Middlesex County and in Vermont. Team USA finished eighth in the tournament. Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. For Parker, that unfettered and unchecked power and authority had serious and tragic consequences, the lawsuit alleges. Governor & President of Hockey Operations. Prew provided private and group hockey coaching sessions in the Marblehead area, but was not affiliated with Marblehead Youth Hockey Association or any Marblehead Public Schools hockey teams or clubs. Morgan said the family previously requested a copy of the school district's investigation into Blake but was denied. Metro Elite Hockey League. While not reporting, he enjoys long-distance running. Parker died from a drug overdose last year, according to the suit. Boys Hockey Coach. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff In firing longtime hockey coach John Blake this spring, Duxbury school officials. Judge James Lang sentenced Prew to 10 years of probation following his prison sentence. He was taken into custody after the mother of one of the victims went to police, and authorities said more victims started to come forward shortly after the news spread. The lawsuit hits as Duxbury is dealing with its varsity football team accused of using anti-Semitic audibles, including the word Auschwitz. Games continue to be called off. We are understandably disturbed by what has been alleged, but need to make clear that this District took the proper actions once we were notified of a complaint, School Committee Chair Kellie Bresnehan and Superintendent of Schools John Antonucci said in a joint statement. Foleys parents add that the school district was grossly negligent, and did not do enough to protect their son from Blakes alleged repeated sexual abuse. As part of their suit, filed in Plymouth Superior Court, theyre seeking $1 million. Get the latest news on COVID-19 delivered to you. He also guided. Police said criminal charges couldn't be filed because Parker was dead. Scott Nichol. The victim's father says he wrote an anonymous letter to the district in 2018 identifying Blake as an alleged sexual predator. Blake was again placed on leave. We have been informed that none of the tips are actionable from a legal standpoint.. The superintendent noted even though there wasnt enough evidence to warrant criminal charges against Blake, the districts independent investigation found the gym teacher had violated its sexual harassment policy and code of conduct. People and education are at the heart of everything that we do in public schools. A lawsuit was filed last week against the school district and Duxbury Middle School physical education teacher John Blake by the parents of Parker Foley, who attended Duxbury Public Schools until he left the district in 9th grade. Rick Sobey is a multimedia, general assignment reporter -- covering breaking news, politics and more across the region. 40 years ago today - USA defeats Finland 4-2 in 1980 Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid, N.Y. to capture the . View John Blake's business profile as Boys Hockey Coach at Duxbury High School. Submit changes (incorrect DOB, missing stats, incorrect stats, social media links etc) using a web form and we will review your update request within 24 hours and update accordingly. But it is like peeling back layers of an onion. Blake filed a counterclaim against the couple in June. Antonucci and Danielle Klingaman, Duxburys interim superintendent, also declined to comment. This case is absolutely malicious and not based on any factual evidence whatsoever, Reddington told the newspaper. LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings sent the message that they believe only a short reset is needed to compete for championships again by hiring John Stevens as coach on Sunday . Prew's guilty plea came Mondayduring an appearance in Essex County Superior Court in Salem as jury selection for the trial was set to begin. NBC10 Boston repeatedly tried to contact Blake at his home and on the phone, but attempts so far have been unsuccessful. Boston College High School coach John Flaherty. . The first time was in 2018 when Foley's father sent an anonymous letter to the district about Blake's behavior, but did not reveal his own or his son's identity at Parker's request. Top Companies . The Foleys' lawsuit says the district failed to protect their son. Rick Sobey is a multimedia, general assignment reporter -- covering breaking news, politics and more across the region. The second investigation, which started after the Foleys went to the school district and police department in 2020, concluded that Blake violated thedistrict's sexual harassment policy and code of conduct. 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Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. The school officials added both the Duxbury police and Plymouth District Attorneys office have investigated, but no charges can be brought because the alleged victim is dead. / CBS Boston, DUXBURY (CBS) - The Foley family of Duxbury is living a nightmare that nobody wants. That investigation "went cold.". Parker died last November of an accidental drug overdose. Longtime Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer told Dean Blevins of News9 in Oklahoma City that. While multiple colleagues said Blake had a sexual relationship with another teacher, who also confirmed it, he denied it. And as the school looks for new leaders, you also have to address all the weaknesses in the system that allowed this to happen so that it never happens again regardless of who is in charge.. Not one of those investigations was able to identify actionable evidence of wrongdoing that would result in criminal or personnel charges, the superintendent pointed out. A civil lawsuit has been filed against Blake and the school district by the parents of former student Parker Foley, who died of a drug overdose last year. More: Former Whitman Boy Scouts leader gets 33 years in prison for sexually exploiting children, More: Former Norwell youth football coach agrees to plead guilty to child exploitation charges. Rick is a Massachusetts native and graduated from Boston University. The setup of the boys locker room at the Duxbury Middle School allowed Blake to act as a gatekeeper for boys attending gym class, and Blake used his power and authority to hold boys back from gym class at his whim and discretion, the parents lawyer wrote in a complaint filed in Plymouth County Superior Court. The Duxbury Public School Administration office on Chandler Street. Read the details of the report at BostonGlobe.com. After Parker Foley died, his parents notified the school district of his allegations that Blake repeatedly raped and molested him in gym class when he was a student at Duxbury Middle School in the mid-2000s, the Foleys'lawsuit said. It wasnt until Foleys case that the ball got rolling on termination proceedings. Blake is accused of raping a middle schooler, which led that student to a fatal drug addiction, the lawsuit states. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. All rights reserved, FIRST ALERT: Storm Hitting Greater Boston Live Radar, Updates. Jim Davis/Globe Staff/file The coach of Boston College High School's varsity hockey team was placed on leave after he was arrested and. Jason Morgan, an attorney representing the Foley family, said the alleged sex assaults happened multiple times. The victim's father says he wrote an anonymous letter to the district in 2018 identifying Blake as an alleged sexual predator. Elizabeth Koh can be reached at elizabeth.koh@globe.com. More: Investigation: Duxbury gym teacher John Blake denied knowing alleged rape victim, having affair. At a Tuesday school committee meeting, John Antonucci, superintendent of public schools in the town, confirmed Blake was fired April 1, noting the Duxbury Police Department has received more than a dozen anonymous tips in relation to the case, according to The Boston Globe. The district is accused of failing to check on a student who was repeatedly missing from class which proved to be tragic for Parker, the suit adds. "The safety of our students is paramount, but one is not able to simply fire someone based on unsubstantiated allegations.".