Target 11: Greensburg Central Catholic football team investigated for hazing

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Target 11 investigator Rick Earle has learned that police are investigating allegations of hazing involving the Greensburg Central Catholic football team.

Following an internal investigation, Earle reported that the school suspended five players and expelled two players and removed the head coach.

The suspended players will not be permitted to play in the team's first game.

Sources told Earle that on a trip to a football camp in New Jersey this summer, some upperclassmen hazed younger players at their hotel.

According to Earle, his sources said some of the allegations involved sexual misconduct.

Shortly after the incident was reported to New Jersey and Pennsylvania authorities, longtime head football coach Muzzy Colosimo was removed from his post after 17 seasons.

Colosimo, who still works at the school as the director of maintenance, was replaced by Daniel Mahoney and Matthew Federico as co-head coaches.

In a statement released on Wednesday the Diocese of Greensburg said, "Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School conducted a thorough and extensive investigation into allegations of misconduct during a trip taken by the football team to a football camp in New Jersey.  Greensburg Central Catholic expects the highest standards of conduct from its students and employees, both on and off campus, and it was disappointing to learn through the investigation that those standards and expectations were not met by all who attended the football camp.  Greensburg Central Catholic cannot discuss confidential student and/or personnel matters.  However, it is important for our school community to know that the Greensburg Central Catholic administration took the matter seriously, contacted the appropriate law enforcement authorities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, immediately launched its own investigation, and administered appropriate discipline consistent with Greensburg Central Catholic's Code of Student of Conduct and standards for employees."

Greensburg Central Catholic’s principal wouldn’t comment on camera, but some parents said they knew about the alleged hazing.

“Maybe it happens everywhere and they just got caught here. Who knows?” one parent said.

WPXI