New Jersey high school football program rocked by hazing allegations to return next season

SAYREVILLE, N.J. – The New Jersey high school football program that had its season cancelled amid hazing and sexual assault allegations will return.

Sayreville School Superintendent Rick Labbe announced Tuesday night that the program would resume at Sayreville High School for the 2015 season, the Home News Tribune (http://mycj.co/1yzZHiY ) reported.

“I believe very strongly after the last several months that football is a very important part of our athletic programs and our community and therefore, in consultation with our Board of Education, I am pleased to announce to you this evening that we will have a 2015 football season,” Labbe said.

The superintendent cancelled the 2014 season on Oct. 5, days before seven players were accused of hazing and sexually assaulting four teammates inside the locker room. The boys will be tried in juvenile court.

None of the coaches have been charged.

The football team’s longtime head coach remains suspended indefinitely with pay from his tenured physical education teaching position at the high school. George Najjar compiled a 165-54 record during 20 seasons at Sayreville, including going 21-13 in post-season play.

Four assistants were suspended with pay from their tenured teaching positions on Oct. 16, but all were reinstated on Nov. 18.

Meanwhile, the school board accepted the resignation of athletics director John Kohutanycz, effective June 30.

School officials never said why Kohutanycz was suspended with pay on Dec. 17.

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Information from: Home News Tribune (East Brunswick, N.J.) , http://www.mycentraljersey.com