Newburgh, New York – In a surprising turn of events, Newburgh Free Academy has canceled the remainder of its varsity football season following a shocking incident that took place during a team “rap battle” last month. The team, known as the Goldbacks, was set to compete in the Section 9 Class AA semifinals against Middletown this week.
According to reports, tensions began to rise when players started exchanging playful insults during the rap battle, but it quickly escalated into chaos. It was said that players began throwing chairs at one another, which resulted in at least one player sustaining severe bruising. Several teammates stepped in to break up the fight, but the damage was done.
In response to the incident, head coach Bill Bianco initially suspended those directly involved in the fight. However, the situation worsened as additional teammates were also barred from playing, simply for being present in the locker room during the altercation.
School officials immediately launched internal investigations at both the main campus and a secondary location, reportedly without informing the coaching staff. This led to further complications, as the coaching staff faced suspension, with junior varsity and freshman coaches expected to fill in before the upcoming playoff game was officially forfeited.
In a letter sent to parents, school superintendent Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell explained the decision to cancel the football season. “Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, the remainder of the football season has been canceled,” she stated. “While I regret this outcome, it is a necessary step as we continue to gather information, support those who have been impacted, and ensure accountability for those involved.”
The school administration is taking the allegations seriously, with Campbell confirming her commitment to overseeing the investigation and subsequent decisions based on its findings. She emphasized the need to address the serious nature of the violations, ensuring that appropriate actions will follow.
This unforeseen incident highlights the importance of maintaining respectful conduct within school sports programs and the responsibility of players to uphold those standards.
