PT football program raises flag: O-R 1-27-12

PT football program raises flag

1/27/2012 3:32 AM

McMURRAY - Peters Township police were working Thursday to determine if there is sufficient information to begin an investigation of the high school football program.
Washington County Children and Youth Services notified police about a complaint filed Tuesday alleging someone was permitting athletes to play sports, most notably high school football, with concussions or concussion-like symptoms.

Township police Chief Harry Fruecht said he did not have a time frame for when a decision would be made about whether to investigate. Police were reviewing documents from a school district investigation into accusations that head football coach Rich Piccinini had pressured injured players to play and interfered with the school's training staff.

Several township residents attended a Jan. 17 school board meeting to express concerns about students being told to play with concussions. However, the school district has a policy that does not permit direct references to school personnel, so public comments were referred to in generalities.

Despite the concerns, the school board, in a 6 to 3 vote, retained Piccinini for the 2012-13 season.

According to Shelly Belcher, district spokeswoman, the district was notified by a CYS representative Tuesday by telephone.

Belcher indicated CYS said the complaint was "out of their jurisdiction" and CYS was required to forward the complaint to police.

Belcher confirmed the complaint involved athletes playing with concussions or concussion-like symptoms.

Superintendent Nina Zetty then contacted Fruecht "to offer any material and access to any staff members to gather information," Belcher said.

The school district, Belcher said, is cooperating with the police department "with whatever they need."

A telephone call to Piccinini was not returned Thursday.

Mark Mortland, a physical therapist for 25 years, a certified athletic trainer and owner of Mortland Physical Therapy in McMurray, is contracted by Peters Township School District to provide athletic training services to the high school.

He said athletes have played while injured, and his employees have been belittled by Piccinini. He sent a letter to Zetty Nov. 30 outlining his concerns.

"I spoke with the coach and said, 'Don't undermine my staff,' and he said 'These kids just have headaches,'" Mortland said.

After sending a letter to Zetty, Mortland said he contacted Brian Geyer, athletic director, and was told the issues would be addressed. Later, Mortland said, an athlete complained of wrist pain and while the trainers were taping the wrist, Mortland said Piccinini yelled that there was nothing wrong with the athlete. A few days later, Mortland said, the boy was diagnosed with a broken wrist.

"The kids are afraid to come forward," Mortland said. The only reasons Mortland said he came forward and contacted the district administration is because he's afraid a serious injury will occur.

Mortland's two sons are in college and a daughter is in eighth grade, so, he said, there is no personal reason, just a desire to protect the athletes.

He said he was upset by the board's Jan. 17 vote to retain Piccinini.

"They are so concerned about safety and character, and they condone this guy and bring him back," Mortland said.

When asked what resolution he would like, Mortland said, "I don't know. What I want right now is for the school board to recognize this is a problem, then figure out a solution." Copyright Observer Publishing Co.