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Topics: News, US News, World News, Sport, Parenting
Rhianna Benson
A New York high school basketball coach has issued a response, after a deeply unnerving clip of him yanking on the ponytail of a female player went viral on social media.
Long-term Northville High School staff member, Jim Zullo, found himself in hot water over the weekend following his team's performance in the Class D state championship division.
A mere 43-37 loss to La Fargeville school during the title game resulted in a outburst on Zullo's part.
In the shocking video, the 81-year-old can be seen walking up to high school senior Hailey Monroe - who also happens to be the program’s all-time leading goal-scorer - and pulling violently on her hair.
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Zullo then yelled in the face of Monroe - who was already in tears, having fouled out during the game.
One of the student's teammates immediately fired back, shouting back at their coach in the jaw-dropping clip.
He later claimed that the act of aggression had been motivated by a expletive that Monroe had supposedly directed towards him in the moment prior. Despite his allegation, Northville Central School promptly fired the sportsman, as per CBS.
Yesterday (24 Mar), however, in a surprising update, the controversial coach's family responded to the global backlash.
A statement released by Zullo's son to several US news outlets - including WNYT - on his behalf reads: "I deeply regret my behavior following the loss to La Fargeville Friday night in the Class D state championship game.
"I want to offer my sincerest apologies to Hailey and her family, our team, the good folks at Northville Central Schools and our community.
"As a coach, under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player, and I am truly sorry."
Zullo went on to express his regret over the incident, confessing in his official statement: "I wish I could have those moments back.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached girls basketball at Northville the past two years, especially last season, which was a difficult time for our family."
An official statement previously released by representatives of the education facility told press: "The Northville Central School District is aware of, and deeply disturbed by, the conduct of the Coach of the Girls’ Varsity basketball team during the Class D New York State championship game.
"We hold our coaches to the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect for our student-athletes, and this behavior is completely unacceptable.
"The District is committed to ensuring that this type of behavior has no place within our programs, and we will continue to uphold the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families and community expect and deserve.
"This individual will no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District.
The school's statement went on to vow: "The district will be following up with the affected players and their families to provide support and outline the actions we are taking in response to this incident."