Peters cops open investigation of high school football program
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Police in Peters, Washington County, are investigating the Peters Township High School football program after receiving a complaint Wednesday from the county's Children and Youth Services Department, the police chief said today.
Police Chief Harry Fruecht said his department launched an investigation yesterday after receiving a complaint from CYS that "an alleged perpetrator is permitting children to play sports with concussions or concussion-like symptoms."
"I don't know if this will rise to our level or not," the chief said of possible criminal charges. "But we at least have to take a look at it."
Chief Fruecht said he contacted district Superintendent Nina Zetty yesterday and requested that she turn over documents related to a district investigation regarding accusations that high school head football coach Rich Piccinini was interfering with the job of athletic trainers as they treated injured players, including those with brain injuries.
"I've asked the school district for everything they've got so far," he said.
Mr. Piccinini said today he would offer no comment on the investigation. The school district intends to cooperate with the police investigation. District spokeswoman Shelly Belcher said county CYS contacted Ms. Zetty on Tuesday to inform her that they'd received a complaint and were going to forward it to the police department. She then contacted Chief Fruecht and offered to send him all of the materials used in her ongoing investigation. She said she is sending over documents to the chief today.
In today's Post-Gazette , physical therapist Mark Mortland, who has provided physical therapy and athletic training services for the district since 2003, called into question Mr. Piccinini's judgment, saying the coach undermined athletic trainers who were treating players with concussions, broken bones, and other injuries.
He and some parents said the coach downplayed injuries and pressured student athletes to continue playing, despite neurological injuries.
Mr. Mortland, who also served for 16 years as the Pittsburgh Penguins' physical therapist and head athletic trainer, said it was "the most deplorable, disrespectful and disgraceful behavior from a head coach in any sport I have ever seen."
Mr. Piccinini, who was reappointed for a second season as the district's head coach last week, said the accusations were "completely unfounded" and denied that he interfered with the training staff.
"The school district did an investigation and issued a statement, and they found zero complaints brought against me," he said in an interview Wednesday.
Ms. Zetty said she investigated concerns forwarded by Mr. Mortland and some parents.
"All of the concerns have been fully investigated by the athletic director and high school principal, and shared with the superintendent and school board," she said.
Chief Fruecht said his department also will interview athletic trainers and the district's athletic director.
When the police investigation is complete, Chief Fruecht said the department will meet with the county District Attorney's office to determine whether criminal charges are merited.
First Published January 26, 2012 12:00 am
