Reported ‘Inappropriate Conduct’ of Maine West Soccer Players, Coaches, Investigated by Police, DCFS

Reports of inappropriate conduct by several players on Maine West High School’s boys’ soccer team are being investigated by the high school, school district, Des Plaines Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, according to a statement released by Maine Township High School District 207.

The Maine West soccer players who face disciplinary action will not be allowed to play, pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the school district’s statement.

Michael Divincenzo, varsity soccer coach, Emilio Rodriguez, freshman soccer coach and three other coaches that are not teachers in the district, were temporarily reassigned with pay to duties outside the classroom, pending the investigation outcome, according to the school district’s statement.

Earlier:

Dr. Ken Wallace, superintendent, stated, “We have clear expectations for the conduct of our athletes and coaches, and if there are allegations of misconduct we have a duty to take them seriously, to conduct an objective investigation of the facts, and to respond accordingly. The safety and well-being of our District 207 students is always our highest priority.”

Des Plaines Police Chief William Kushner said a criminal investigation was conducted regarding a report of an incident that took place on Maine West property the last week of September, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The current boys soccer coaches at Maine West are Eliades Hernandez for the freshmen team, Adam York for sophomore team and Al Matan and Aaron Fleming for the varsity team, David Beery, spokesman for District 207, stated in an email to Patch.

Maine West’s varsity soccer team made it to the regional title game against New Trier High School last season, when they lost 2-1, Journal and Topics Newspapers reported.