Carmel High School basketball players under investigation for bullying

UPDATE: On the back of the Carmel Basketball team bus, while coaches were up front, Carmel school leaders say three seniors on the boys basketball team stepped over the line.

Those students have been disciplined for bullying. Questions remain, however, regarding exactly what did the seniors do to two freshman players on the back of a bus. The incident occured on January 22nd as they returned victorious from games in Terre Haute.

The other question: why didn't four freshman coaches sitting on the bus hear or see the bullying going on?


"All three teams had just won their games and there was a lot of celebration, and it was loud," said Principal John Williams.

Williams told Fox59 News he has learned the coaches were in the front of the bus while the bullying was going on aisles behind in the back. Williams says he cannot reveal exactly what kind of physical bullying it was but he says rumours bullying was sexual in nature are completely false.

The three varsity senior players were reprimanded and were not allowed to play Tuesday at a game against Warren Central.

"I find it very shocking seniors would actually do that to a freshman," said Johathan Praether, a Carmel Junior.

"It's absolutely not tolerated in our policy and it's something we take very seriously," said Principal Williams.

"Bullying is everywhere," said Michelle Mongin, a Carmel parent.

The head Freshman coach and three assistants were reportedly on the bus.

"They need to be more aware of what's happening on the buses," said Mongin.

"I can't even imagine they didn't know what was going on, but I've been in situations like that and sometimes you just dont know," said Marisa Anderson, a Carmel parent.

School administrators are continuing to review if policies need to be changed to make sure another incident doesn't happen again on board a game bus. They have notified the Carmel Police Department about the incident.

PREVIOUS STORY:

Carmel High School administrators say they are investigating claims of bullying involving the boys basketball team. In a press release, the Superintendent's office says they were made aware of an incident that occured on a school bus as the team was returning from an away game on January 22nd.

Carmel Police were contacted, and the entire team was addressed by administrators. The school also says parents were contacted and informed of what was going on.