By:Hector Flores
The four -- head Coach Kevin McElroy, 49, junior-varsity Coach Art Canestro, 36, and assistant coaches Irwin Wolosky, 67, and Steve Vernet, 48 -- convened a news conference at state Supreme Court in Mineola last Tuesday to refute a variety of accusations against them.
All five coaches, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Caramore, Principal John Didden, the perpetrators and their parents are facing civil lawsuits by the victims' families.
The coaches issued a joint response contradicting the grand jury report. The coaches said they:
¥Cared about the students at the camp.
¥Followed district policy and used common sense.
¥Did not allow 2 1/2 hours of unsupervised time per day, as reported by the grand jury.
¥Made sure all students had permission slips.
¥Provided an adequate number of bed checks.
McElroy said he cares deeply about the students. "I have had kids at my house for the holidays," he said. "And if you know anything about [the coaches], caring more about football" -- a claim made in the grand jury report -- "can't be further from the truth."
Wolosky said that when a player injured his ankle at the camp, he was rushed to the hospital, where a coach remained with him, demonstrating that the coaches do care.
McElroy said the camp was well planned. "I made a policy that was approved by the district," he said. "I planned the trip and did the research."
McElroy said players had no more than 45 minutes of "down time" per day, when the coaches visited the players' bunks, spoke with them and inquired about injuries.
He added that one of the perpetrators' permission slips was not missing, as reported by the grand jury. A waiver form was missing. It read, "Any student who does not follow the rules stated in the camp proposal will be sent immediately home." The form also stated that if a player broke a rule, his parents were responsible for picking him up at the camp, and that he would be barred from taking part in any football or camp activity.
"We went far and beyond what was expected of us," said McElroy.
The former coaches then took on the grand jury's assertion that more bed checks and chaperones were needed. "I have asked the district for a sixth coach," said McElroy, "but they have refused to provide one."
Canestro said, "The only way we could have done better was to stay in the rooms, but that was not allowed by the district. District policy specifically dictates that 'no adults sleep with children.' The parameters that we were given just don't allow for that."
He added, "We have followed the district's policy, and we have still been taken out [of the classroom]. This is very emotional for the parents, and we understand why they are upset. We just did not conceive that a crime against another kid would have been committed on that trip."
