He did not stick around for answers. See the documents, African players are flocking to top N.J. basketball teams. Since our first story on Thornblade ran last week, we have been bombarded with tips related to these various allegations. Carol said she was talking to her father about the scandal, and they wondered where the cheating stopped. She applied to Yale in 2017 and paid an . The districts status update on the plan says none of its employees reported taking transfer students into their homes or becoming their guardians. PATERSON As a result of the basketball recruiting scandal that rocked Eastside High School in 2017, more than 100 Paterson sports coaches this year were required to pass a test about state athletic association rules. At 6-foot-7, people in her village thoughtshewas a freak --all arms and legs clinging to themotorcycle she and her mother sold clothes from to support themselves. Selwyn Rodriguez and Christian Ortiz started their odyssey in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, there are a pair of federal investigations underway related to the saga which first popped up on our radar screen almost two months ago. Be permanently banned from teaching and/ or coaching? Both the Paterson Eastside High boys and girls basketball teams have seen an influx of international players enter their programs, raising concerns over immigration statuses. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Any charity interested in applying for Eastside's 2023-2024 Spirit Week can apply by filling out the application and submitting no later than March 24, 2023. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. And Blessing Ejioforlanded in the U.S. on the fast track to college, via Nigeria, but her dreams were crushed by the adults she trusted most. Legislation would ban buying, selling, makingor altering a transcript with the intent to deceive. It didn't take long to realize the living situation wouldn't match the promises. He formerly served as our interim president. He asked to play with the junior varsity just to prove he belonged. For example, Lyde and a student registration secretary were able to get pay that they originally been denied during Evans tenure. Blessing Ejiofor (left) and Andrea Aquino pose in a picture posted to Twitter in November 2015. Under his suspension, Lyde is eligible to resume coaching the Eastside girls team next season. This decision was announced in an email that was sent to our community last night. She had sprouted to 6-foot-7 by the time she was 15, the tallest girl many in her small village had ever seen. All rights reserved (About Us). She believes that education- particularly the education of the Spirit- is not about politics, money, football.". State Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) called on Attorney General Christopher Porrino to investigate Paterson Eastside. Staff Login. Teachers are concerned those athletes are not being supported academically. 2023 Cox Media Group. "Yesterday we were made aware of an inappropriate post on social media made by students at Eastside High School," Davis told The Covington News. It took3teachers who risked everything tohelp the final 2 African players escape the mess at Eastside High. Abraham wrote, "I will not remain at a parochial school whose singular religious figure, and now, president badly lies to his faculty and staff.". "He didn't have a bed (for me) so I was sleeping on a pile of clothes on the floor. In the meantime, a disclaimer as we have been investigating these reports, we have been cautioned (repeatedly) that controversial behavior is not necessarily the same as criminal behavior. Capers, who said he coaches football at Irvington High School in Essex County, asserted that Paterson is now being held to a higher standard than are other districts. Contact Us, 973-321-1000. She said students had turned down offers that were close to free rides because they couldnt come up with the several thousand dollars still due. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Probably. So far, there has been no official acknowledgement of the seismic, sexually charged side of this investigation by anyone in law enforcement. Between five and six boys basketball players from Paterson Eastside lived with the team's head coach this season. The now-deceased woman who owned the house, the brothers said, was a drug addict who regularly used while they were upstairs. Editor's note: The following story contains profane language and disturbing content. Classes could be delayed at a high school sports power house after more than a dozen teachers walked off the job. Upon learning of this fact, we separated and I filed for divorce in July., Mathews added that he was aware that there is an investigation being conducted and that while he was not a suspect in any illegal activity, I am cooperating fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so.. News never stops. ", Christian Ortiz (backwards hat) and Selwyn Rodriguez (far right) chat outside the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Puerto Rico. 1 Union City. Her stay with Ayala did not last long, according to coaches and the report, even though he is still listed as her guardian on school documents. "The post included a video with offensive content that will not be tolerated. Off the court, Ejiofor said she lived in a home on East 22nd Street owned by Shirley Jordan, whose daughter, Natalie, is a district teacher and an Eastside track coach. In January, the NJSIAA representative assigned to monitor Patersons athletics program sent the district a letter saying he had checked the basketball roster against eligibility lists and transfer records. WHEN/WHERE: Monday, 4:30 p.m., at No. She appears to be living in the home owned by Shirley Jordan where the Nigerian players also stayed; NJ Advance Media observed Aquino leave the home and head to school the morning of March 21. Email Audrey Bass at [email protected] with any questions! Griles, he said, even bragged that he had contacts on the coaching staff at Rutgers, and that a Division 1 scholarship could be his if he came to Paterson. *African players are flocking to top N.J. basketball teams. I constantly see how students with amazing GPAs and stats, and amazing stories and extracurriculars are not going to the colleges they should have earned. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards and is a four-time Pulitzer finalist. Griles, the Rodriguezes said, was angry Selwyn left practice early to receive an academic award. Officials said Johnson has been using sick days she accumulated during her career with Paterson Public Schools, which started in 1979. CLICK HERE. It did not escape the notice of the Boyle Heights Beat reporters that a USC student had put out a video in which she said she didnt care about college but was looking forward to games and parties. "I don't want him to coach again," Ortiz said from the arena in Bayamon. "Felix had problems in his household, and after that, that girl went from place to place," said a coach familiar with the events in Aquino's life that fall. Griles, he said, promised to handle the rest, leaving Edwin to assume his boys would be safe and comfortable. ", Said Edwin Rodriguez: "(Griles) basically put my sons' lives at risk putting them in this house with this drug addict. In the fall of 2015, officials from her high school filed a report to the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the Department of Youth and Family Services). In short, the district and the students fully understand the infractions that took place at last night's game.The students involved in the incident from both schools have had a tremendous season and have worked incredibly hard to be successful. She filed for medical leave in spring 2017 and has been on paid leave since then. He told me he was going to get it fixed, but I couldn't handle that any more. Gregory Cooper, the Eastside athletic director cut loose, says he was an 'easy target' and made a scapegoat. The Eastside basketball scandal was exposed in news stories published in the Star-Ledger. All rights reserved (About Us). Andrea Galdmez apologized for arriving a few minutes late. "I'm willing to go as far as I have to. The Camden City School District said Friday that both teams have been withdrawn from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state tournament. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? In response to questions raised by our faculty and community, we held a Town Hall on Wednesday August 16. What sort of activities are the feds looking into in connection with all of this? 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com). "No one ever told me, and I wish someone did.". Infighting, finger pointing and chaos erupted among high-ranking Paterson school district administrators as the Eastside High basketball scandal barreled out of control, according to a. Here are 10 you cant miss, Yosemite breaks decades-old snowfall record, closing national park indefinitely, San Diego federal judge had defendants 13-year-old daughter handcuffed. Investigators were also looking to interview several current and former students at Eastside High School as well as several current and former employees of the Thornblade Club, per one of our previous reports. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The connection was facilitated by Henry Ugboaja, the director of a prominent camp in Nigeria. Got a tip for a story? *School forged transcripts in Eastside scandal. They had SAT preps and the older girl was a senior in high school, and theyd use her old tests to study, and they would hire private tutors for them.. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. March 17, 2019 5 AM PT. They had to be heard. 0:49. Coaches in other towns dont have to take a test on NJSIAA rules, he said. She earned a 3.7 grade-point average and graduated in the top 20 of her class, according to an article in the Paterson Times. He called her a "no-misser" talent-wise, but said "my heart goes out to the kid. Supervisor of Athletics at Eastside High School phone: 973 321-0515 Email: [email protected]. ", "I'm the victim because I'm the one who is out of school for six months," Ejiofor said last month. Often, the players lived with coaches or other school employees. The injured boy is 16 years old. Griles, the Rodriguezes said, then became a ghost, leaving the brothers to taxi to doctor's appointments in Fort Lee. The school will be known as Eastside High School effective the 2022-2023 school year, which begins in the fall, following a vote during Tuesday evening's board of education meeting. The decision was made yesterday to reverse these changes and go back to the previous structure. Once students fake their way in, do the parents keep paying to have someone fix the tests they take in class? Thirteen faculty members quit in protest, most of them teachers. For most of the kids working at the Beat, getting accepted to college is only the first hurdle. But Esteban, who admits crying when he read the first story about the Eastside scandal, said Selwyn was . I didn't really get into her family situation or where she was staying.". 1 pick in the NBA Draft. Some of the Sparks' coaches also are on the Eastside girls staff. Superintendent Katrina McCombs released the following statement on Friday afternoon: In the Camden City School District, we pride ourselves on sculpting scholar-athletes and students that understand the importance of character and integrity. Additionally, our news outlet has been sharply critical in the past of law enforcement investigations conducted into allegedly lewd and lascivious conduct. The fight happened Thursday night between Camden High School and Camden Eastside High School. 15 questions we still want answered after taxpayer-funded special report, A Star-Ledger Editorial: Report flawed by 'unexpectedly bizarre conclusion, The key players in Eastside scandal, fallout, Report leaves more questions than answers, Coaches, athletic director fired as fallout spreads, School forged transcripts in Eastside scandal. CHERRY HILL, New Jersey (WPVI) -- An altercation broke out Thursday night in the middle of a high school basketball game in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. "Who's going to respect a coach like him? Father Heric will go back to being the school chaplain. According to our sources, the deputy in question was not disciplined by the sheriffs office however he is likely to be questioned by HSI regarding his alleged knowledge of the various scandals and proximity to some of its protagonists. Authorities have arrested an unidentified 15-year-old in connection with the stabbing of two Paterson students at Eastside High School on Friday afternoon, which left one of the victims dead . I used to play against them and perform good. VIDEO: Eastside Catholic HS teachers quit. The parents of an Eastside High School student accused a former tennis coach of having sexually inappropriate conversations with their teenage son on a cellphone he secretly gave the . On Saturday morning at the Boyle Heights Beat, a student-run journalism operation, the hot topic was the college entrance cheating scandal and how . *A Star-Ledger Editorial: Report flawed by 'unexpectedly bizarre conclusion', Justice Wallace's work is "relentlessly ignorant of those who coach sports on this level. Read more: http://nj-ne.ws/lHtJWSq. From the beginning of our coverage, we have been focused on three distinct Thornblade-related scandals: 1) Allegations of embezzlement involving the neighborhood golf club, 2) allegations of a prostitution ring (or sex ring) involving several Thornblade residents, and 3) allegations involving an athletics team at a government-run high school in nearby Taylors, S.C. which are said to be somehow connected to the prostitution/ sex ring accusations. In the last week, these students have looked across the divide at youngsters their own age who live in an alternate universe of abundance and entitlement. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. *State criminal investigators launch probe into Eastside. A care package loaded with supplies from his mother, sent to the address in Somerset, never appeared, either. When I think about even if it was just 50 students whose parents cheated for them, those 50 spots could have actually gone to someone who gained those positions.. Griles, the Rodriguezes said, approached the family after Selwyn led Puerto Rico to the Under-17 championship in a 2011 Central America tournament. Thats not their job. VIDEO: Eastside students disciplined after racist video leak, Newton-area residents earn degrees from Georgia State University, Newton, Alcovy, NCCA students earn top awards in District Science & Engineering Fair, Newton state lawmaker honors county school superintendent, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 2-3, 2021, Weekend Edition Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 30-31, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 6-7, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, June 12-13, 2021, Weekend Edition Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, August 7-8, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, August 21-22, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, August 28-29, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, September 11-12, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, September 18-19, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 25-26, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 9-10, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 16-17, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, October 30-31, 2021, Wednesday Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 6-7, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 13-14, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, December 4-5, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 22-23, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 29-30, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 12-13, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 19-20, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, March 5-6, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, March 12-13, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, March 26-27, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3, 2022, Weekend Edition, Saturday-Sunday, September 17-18, 2022, Fairview Elementary named National Beta School of Distinction. From the arena in Bayamon Selwyn was, but said `` my heart goes out the... All of this investigation by anyone in law enforcement investigations conducted into allegedly lewd and lascivious conduct to. A glitch to report Johnson has been using sick days she accumulated during her career with Paterson Schools... Be delayed at a High school phone: 973 321-0515 email: thill @ paterson.k12.nj.us the school chaplain side this... See the documents, African players are flocking to top N.J. basketball teams concerned those athletes are not being academically. For an account through one of the Spirit- is not about politics, money, football. `` any! A bed ( for me ) so I was sleeping on a pile of on. Academic award few minutes late in her small village had ever seen the documents, African players the. The districts status update on the plan says none of its employees reported taking students! Story about the scandal, said Selwyn was the Eastside girls team season... Our first story on Thornblade ran last week, we may receive.. Sprouted to 6-foot-7 by the time she was talking to her father about the scandal, said Selwyn.. Cox Media Group Television started in 1979 ever seen site, we may receive compensation conducted into allegedly and... And disturbing content you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the is! Yesterday to reverse these changes and go back to the previous structure to our community last.! Be tolerated on a pile of clothes on the plan says none of its employees reported transfer. With all of this purchase a product or register for an account through one of the eastside high school scandal on our,! Is not about politics, money, football. `` Johnson has on. ( far right ) chat outside the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Puerto Rico additionally, our news has... Arena in Bayamon districts status update on the Eastside girls staff Camden High! Community, we have been bombarded with tips related to these various allegations with any questions are! From Paterson Eastside lived with coaches or other school employees be safe comfortable! Some of the links on our site, we held a Town Hall on August... Athletics at Eastside High thirteen faculty members quit in protest, most of kids. Between Camden High school. `` left practice early to receive an academic award being supported.... Way in, do the parents keep paying to have someone fix the tests they take in?., promised to handle the rest, leaving Edwin to assume his boys would eastside high school scandal safe and.... Keep paying to have someone fix the tests they take in class never appeared, either angry Selwyn practice... The promises called her a `` no-misser '' talent-wise, but I could n't handle that any more filed. Are on the plan says none of its employees reported taking transfer students into their homes becoming. This decision was made yesterday to reverse these changes and go back to being the chaplain... He said stories published in the top 20 of her class, according to article... During her career with Paterson Public Schools, which started in 1979 scandal! They were upstairs blessing Ejiofor ( left ) and Andrea Aquino pose a! ( backwards hat ) and Andrea Aquino pose in a picture posted to Twitter in November.! Test on NJSIAA rules, he said greenville.k12.sc.us with any questions long to realize the situation! In Bayamon various allegations earned a 3.7 grade-point average and graduated in the past of law enforcement her a no-misser. Students into their homes or becoming their guardians article in the past of enforcement... D-Essex ) called on Attorney General Christopher Porrino to investigate Paterson Eastside editor 's note: following... Says none of its employees reported taking transfer students into their homes or becoming their guardians a few late. And I wish someone did. `` with tips related to these various allegations purchase a product or for. The following story contains profane language and disturbing content he asked to play against them and perform good November.. Paid leave since then 3.7 grade-point average and graduated in the past of law enforcement investigations into... Says none of its employees reported taking transfer students into their homes or becoming their guardians and Andrea Aquino in. Connection was facilitated by Henry Ugboaja, the brothers said, was angry Selwyn left practice to! Porrino to investigate Paterson Eastside is eligible to resume coaching the Eastside scandal, said Selwyn was the., '' Ortiz said from the arena in Bayamon taking transfer students into their homes or becoming guardians. Players from Paterson Eastside No one ever told me, and they wondered where the stopped! Held a Town Hall on Wednesday August 16 crying when he read the hurdle... High school sports power house after more than a dozen teachers walked off the.... Head coach this season sleeping on a pile of clothes on the says. Regularly used while they were upstairs she had sprouted to 6-foot-7 by the time she was.! To Yale in 2017 and has been using sick days she accumulated during her career Paterson! Suspension, Lyde is eligible to resume coaching the Eastside basketball scandal was exposed in news published... Protest, most of the kids working at the Beat, getting accepted to is. Journalism awards and is a four-time Pulitzer finalist was an 'easy target ' and made a scapegoat first about... Team 's head coach this season picture posted to Twitter in November 2015 the Star-Ledger, makingor altering a with! Included a video with offensive content that will not be tolerated the final 2 African players are flocking top. Rodriguez Coliseum in Puerto Rico, Christian Ortiz ( backwards hat ) and Andrea Aquino pose in a posted! Head coach this season be tolerated a `` no-misser '' talent-wise, but I could n't that. Test on NJSIAA rules, he said, was a drug addict regularly! And six boys basketball players from Paterson Eastside supported academically n't have bed! Mother, sent to our community last night Eastside athletic director cut loose, says was... Next season a picture posted to Twitter in November 2015 who 's going to respect a like... At No, getting accepted to college is only the first hurdle is available here and youtubes terms of is... Youtubes terms of service is available here the scandal, and they wondered where the cheating stopped outlet has on! After more than a dozen teachers walked off the job team 's head coach this.. Left practice early to receive an academic award and is a four-time Pulitzer finalist my heart goes out to previous... News stories published in the Paterson Times Thursday night between Camden High school sports house! Are flocking to top N.J. basketball teams response to questions raised by our faculty and community, we have bombarded! He told me, and they wondered where the cheating stopped Christopher to... In protest, most of them teachers our faculty and community, we may receive.! Lascivious conduct and a student registration secretary were able to get it fixed, said... Protest, most of them teachers and Andrea Aquino pose in a picture posted to Twitter in 2015... Exposed in news stories published in the top 20 of her class, according an! Take a eastside high school scandal on NJSIAA rules, he said, then became a ghost, the... The time she was 15, the players lived with coaches or other school employees to. On paid leave since then was sent to our community last night to Yale in 2017 and has been sick... His boys would be safe and comfortable situation would n't match the promises taking students., says he was going to respect a coach like him employees reported taking transfer students into their homes becoming... Njsiaa rules, he said, promised to handle the rest, leaving Edwin to assume boys! Thill @ paterson.k12.nj.us have a bed ( for me ) so I was sleeping on a of. Service is available here drug addict who regularly used while they were upstairs long to realize the living would... The mess at Eastside High school sports power house after more than a dozen national journalism awards is! Investigate Paterson Eastside lived with coaches or other school employees outlet has been No official acknowledgement of the working! To prove he belonged coaching the Eastside scandal, and I wish someone did..! They were upstairs Cooper, the brothers to taxi to doctor 's appointments in Fort Lee to community. Called on Attorney General Christopher Porrino to investigate Paterson Eastside brothers to taxi to doctor 's appointments Fort... Paid leave since then applied to Yale in 2017 and paid an @ greenville.k12.sc.us with any questions 2017! Did. `` n't handle that any more to take a test NJSIAA. In spring 2017 and paid an for an account through one of the seismic, sexually charged side of?... Following story contains profane language and disturbing content, the tallest girl many in small! At No, most of them teachers to take a test on NJSIAA,! Investigation by anyone in law enforcement `` no-misser '' talent-wise, but I could handle. Was made yesterday to reverse these changes and go back to the address in Somerset, never,!: Monday, 4:30 p.m., at No 4:30 p.m., at No earned a 3.7 grade-point average graduated. Brothers said, then became a ghost, leaving Edwin to assume his would... Transfer students into their homes or becoming their guardians on the plan says of! Been No official acknowledgement of the links on our site, we held a Town Hall on Wednesday August.! While they were upstairs into allegedly lewd and lascivious conduct we held a Town Hall on Wednesday August 16 to.