New York High School Basketball Coach Terminated After Player Incident
A high school in upstate New York has dismissed its Hall of Fame girls basketball coach following an altercation over the weekend. The coach reportedly grabbed the ponytail of a player and subsequently reprimanded her after a difficult loss.
Incident Occurred After Championship Defeat
The event unfolded after Northville High School suffered a 43-37 defeat to La Fargeville in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D championship game held at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
Star Player Involved
Hailey Monroe, a senior player for Northville and leading scorer in the final with 12 points, was visibly upset and in tears with teammates after the game when the incident occurred.
Coach’s Actions and Intervention
Footage captured Falcons coach Jim Zullo approaching Monroe from behind and pulling her hair. Zullo then appeared to verbally confront Monroe before Ahmya Tompkins, a teammate, intervened to stop the interaction.
Reports from The Daily Gazette of Schenectady and other local news sources indicate that Tompkins is also the coach’s great-niece.
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School District Statement and Termination
“The Northville Central School District is aware of, and deeply concerned by, the actions of the Girls’ Varsity basketball team Coach during the Class D New York State championship game,” the school district stated in a public statement released on Saturday.
“The District is dedicated to ensuring that this type of conduct is not tolerated within our programs. We are committed to upholding the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families, and community expect and deserve. This individual is no longer permitted to coach for the Northville Central School District.”
Coach and Board Response
Attempts to reach Zullo for comment were unsuccessful. Members of the district’s board of education have declined further comment beyond their official statement.
Board President Carolyn Wilcox stated via email, “This constitutes a personnel matter. Our focus is now on supporting our young athletes during this challenging time.”
Hall of Fame Career and Personal Context
Zullo is an inductee of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, notable for previously leading Shenendehowa High School to a Class A state title in 1987.
It has been reported that he returned from retirement at the encouragement of his wife, who passed away last year after a prolonged illness.
“She was my dad’s biggest supporter and biggest fan,” his son Sam Zullo, also a basketball coach, told The Associated Press.
Consecutive Championship Losses for Northville Falcons
This marked the second consecutive season Northville, a small school with approximately 235 students in grades 6-12, narrowly missed winning the state championship. Last year, they were defeated by Hammond in the final game.