State Makes Ruling After 'Disturbing' Fight Between NJ Prep School Soccer Teams

JERSEY CITY, NJ — After a brawl between rival prep school soccer teams in Jersey City last weekend, a star player has been suspended by his school and the state has taken disciplinary action as well, an official said Thursday.

After a match on Saturday, players from two powerhouse private schools — St. Peter's Prep and St. Benedict's Prep, both in Jersey City — ended up in a brawl. A published report said a junior player at St. Benedict's grabbed a news photographer by the throat.

Officials said the player has been suspended, and that other disciplinary action has been taken following an investigation.

Mike Cherenson, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, said Thursday morning, "The NJSIAA has completed its investigation into the post-game altercation ... the NJSIAA has issued a disqualification consistent with established practice. Both schools have submitted corrective action plans, which have been accepted."

Cherenson declined to elaborate on who was disqualified by the state. According to NJSIAA rules, a student-athlete or coach who is disqualified for "unsportsmanlike and flagrant verbal or physical misconduct" cannot attend the next two games, and there may be other penalties.

But Cherenson confirmed that the St. Benedict's junior accused of attacking the photographer had been suspended by his school.

"The NJSIAA is aware that the administration at St. Benedict’s Prep has suspended the player who aggressively pursued and physically confronted a media member indefinitely," he said. "They did not indicate the duration of the suspension."

Patch has reached out to St. Benedict's and will update this story when a response is received.

The athletic director for St. Peter's Prep, Richard Hansen, said Thursday, "We have been in constant contact with NJSIAA, have submitted our CAP [Corrective Action Plan] and have been exonerated of wrongdoing. No suspension of our players or coaches was levied. We have played two games since this contest and look forward to continuing the season. Grateful to use this experience as a teaching tool for our athletes."

On Monday, St Benedict's school spokesperson Larry Geraghty had said, "While we are still gathering all the facts, we take this matter extremely seriously and are treating it with the utmost priority and care. Our coaching staff, athletic department, and school leaders are actively reviewing eyewitness accounts, video footage, and statements from all parties involved."

The NJSIAA's statement issued on Thursday read, "We thank and commend both schools for their cooperation, their willingness to work together, and their recognition of the seriousness of this incident. We remain deeply troubled by the disturbing nature of the altercation, including the physical confrontation involving a credentialed photographer....

“This incident, along with others across the state, underscores the urgent need to reinforce standards of sportsmanship, safety, and respect—on the field, on the sidelines, and within school communities. Consistent enforcement of the rules is essential to protecting the integrity of interscholastic athletics."

A report on NJ.com said the player grabbed an Advance Media photographer by the throat to stop him from taking photos. St. Peter's Prep players asked the photographer if he was okay, according to the story, but the St. Benedict's players did not.

READ MORE: Powerhouse Prep Schools Brawl After NJ Soccer Game