(CAPITOL CITY NOW)– An investigation into potential hazing and bullying activities at Rochester High School’s football program indicates several coaches and administrators were aware of “bleachers” events but were unaware of improper or illegal conduct. After an internal investigation, the district retained the law firm of Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt to investigate whether the players had engaged in behaviors that potentially violated policies, including provisions within the parent-student handbook.

The investigation followed a complaint by a parent to Superintendent Dan Cox in late September. That complaint alleged hazing had occurred on Sept. 26 at the gathering by players at the football field after dark. While some reports stated the gathering initially started at an individual’s house, at some time, the meeting moved to the high school football field. During the event, the parent said the student-athlete sustained welts and breaks in the skin from an airsoft gun fired by another student.

Cox reportedly notified the school board’s legal counsel which started an internal investigation. A week later, the school board hired the law firm to investigate further.

The district released the following 17-page report Friday based on the investigation:

Investigation report for Rochester CUSD3A

Among the facts listed in the report, sophomore students lined up along the fence and were then shot in the back by the upperclassmen football players, reportedly with airsoft guns and CO2 air pistols. Although not required, some sophomores had removed their shirts during incident.

The firm’s report also identified students participated in a “fight club” in which the upperclassmen would pair sophomores and have them wrestle until one was pinned. No injuries were reported, according to the report.

Additionally, a “cookie race” was held reportedly held where underclassmen would lower their pants to their ankles and place a cookie between their buttocks. The report stated it is not known if underwear were still worn. The underclassmen would then race against each other. The loser(s) would then have to eat their own cookie. The firm’s report stated the investigation could not confirm if cookie races were held during the current football season.

The investigation found that coaches and administrators who said they were aware of the event knew it to be a leadership meeting. Several current coaches said they took part in “bleachers” as students.

The report indicated 74 students and 19 coaches were initially interviewed by the district. Additional interviews were conducted by the outside law firm with administrators and head football coach Derek Leonard.

Leonard indicated he was aware of “bleachers” as were other coaches, but he did not have any knowledge about what took place at the gatherings. Leonard shared his team is regularly given lessons on “appropriate conduct,” and performs community service projects on Sundays. The report found one coach was aware of the cookie race but didn’t know the extent of what they were.

The report found no criminal charges should be pursued because of hazing. The investigation, however, found acts of bullying as defined by Illinois law. Specifically, the use of airsoft guns and CO2 air pistols, cookie races, and wrestling that took place between students.

The report recommended the following:

• Board: Update handbooks to address misconduct, define volunteer coaching roles, and consider suspending Coach Leonard for the Oct. 25 game, and remove students who are identified to have fired airsoft guns from football program.
• Administration: Develop ethics training with coaches and enforce consequences.
• Head Coach: Report retaliation, set team rules, enforce off-field conduct, and require honesty.
• Community Service: Require 5-10 hours of community service.

Leonard was suspended by the district from his coaching duties for Friday’s game. No students are facing disciplinary actions because of a lack of evidence identifying specific students who took part in bullying.