Schools

Maine West Student: Coach Winked Before, After Sexual Assault

A former Maine West student said he believes his former soccer coach, Michael Divincenzo, was aware of and encouraged hazing and bullying at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, WGN reported.

One of the four Maine West High School students who is suing Maine Township High School District 207 administrators, faculty and staff over hazing and bullying allegations described his experiences, and said he believes his coach, Michael Divincenzo, knew about the assaults because he saw him wink at players, WGN reported.

D-207 suspended Divincenzo without pay, pending the dismissal process, in December.

Divincenzo sent a request to D-207 for a hearing before a hearing officer on the matter, TribLocal reported.

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Supporters of Divincenzo and another coach named in the lawsuit, Emilio Rodriguez, organized a “peace fire” for Jan. 1, an activity promoted by the coaches with their teams, but canceled it due to low attendance, according to posts on the Facebook page, “Support for Dive and Coach Rodriguez.”

Here are links to the stories posted about the hazing and bullying allegations to date:

Find out what's happening in Des Plaineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Maine West Coach Fired Over Hazing Allegations published Dec. 20.
  • Crowd Packs D-207 Board Meeting About Coaches in Hazing Investigation published Dec. 19.
  • D-207 to Discuss Personnel Related to Hazing Investigation published Dec. 19.
  • published Dec. 10.
  • published Dec. 9.
  • Maine West Students Rally Facebook Support for Coaches published Dec. 5.
  • Allegations D-207 Failed to Report Hazing Referred to Cook County State’s Attorney published Dec. 4.
  • published Dec. 4.
  • published Dec. 3.
  • published Dec. 2.
  • Letter from Maine West Parent to Principal: My Son ‘Endured a Hazing’ published Nov. 30.
  • published Nov. 30.
  • published Nov. 30.
  • Mother: Maine West Hazing 'Destroying' Children published Nov. 28.
  • Maine West Parent ‘Sickened’ by Tolerance of Bullying published Nov. 28.
  • More Hazing Complaints at Maine West to Be Filed published Nov. 27.
  • Second Hazing Investigation at Maine West Opened published Nov. 26.
  • published Nov. 20.
  • Maine West Soccer Sets School Record for Wins Despite Hazing Suspensions published Oct. 11.
  • published Oct. 8.

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