The St. Paul High School varsity football coaching staff -- which includes head coach Marijon Ancich, who once held the title of California's winningest coach -- was placed on leave while the school investigates allegations of hazing.
NBCLA has exclusively learned that incoming varsity players were allegedly forced to run a gauntlet while objects were thrown at them by returning varsity players.
There were also complaints of paddling or spanking taking place, NBCLA has learned.
At least two coaches have been reinstated because it was determined they were not present when the alleged hazing occurred.
Ancich remains on leave.
St. Paul's principal Kate Aceves sent the following letter to parents of football players on Thursday:
"I am writing to advise you that yesterday, I placed our varsity football coaching staff on leave pending an investigation into a hazing incident which allegedly occurred on Saturday, August 14 in the St. Paul High School varsity locker room and which was reported to me this week. In order to assure continuity and that our student athletes are provided with practice time and conditioning without interruption, I have asked the freshmen coaching staff to conduct varsity practices and, as needed, to coach varsity games on an interim basis. In the investigation, we will be working with the Archdiocese and will be reviewing the entire hazing matter in accordance with our school policies which are outlined in our Parent/Student & Faculty handbooks from both a student and staff perspective," the letter read.
Ancich is considered a legend in the high school coaching community. This is his third tour of duty at St. Paul, serving from 1961-81, 1993-2005, and 2009-present, according to an article last year in the Los Angeles Times.
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At one point, as recently as last year, Ancich was the winningest coach in California.
The Swordsmen finished the 2009 season with a record of 3-7, according to the Whittier Daily News.
St. Paul High School is located at 9635 Greenleaf Ave. in Sante Fe Springs. Friday was the first day of school, according to the school's June newsletter.
