Jim Zullo, an 81-year-old high school girls’ basketball coach in New York, was fired for pulling the hair of one of his players, Hailey Monroe, after the team lost the state championship game. The incident, which was caught on video, led to Zullo being cited for harassment in the second degree. The Northville Central School District released a statement expressing their deep concern over Zullo’s actions, stating that they hold their coaches to the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect for the student-athletes. They assured the public that this behavior was unacceptable and that Zullo would no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District.
The incident occurred after the game when both teams were lining up for the post-game ceremony at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Zullo met with officers and was issued an appearance ticket for harassment in the second degree. He issued an apology statement, expressing deep regret for his actions and acknowledging that it was unacceptable to put his hands on a player. Zullo had previously won a state championship with the Shenendehowa High School boys’ basketball team in 1987 and had advanced to the state final in each of his two seasons with the girls’ team at Northville. He took the coaching job at Northville in 2023 at the urging of his wife, who passed away during that season.
The District ensured that they were actively addressing the matter, providing support to the affected players and their families, and outlining the actions being taken in response to the incident. Zullo’s apology stated that he wished he could take back those moments and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to coach at Northville. Despite the challenging circumstances during his tenure, he was proud of the accomplishments of the young women he coached and believed they would go on to do great things. The Hudson Valley Community College Department of Public Safety confirmed Zullo’s meeting with officers and his issuance of an appearance ticket.
Zullo’s wife was battling cancer when he took the coaching job at Northville, and she passed away during that season. The District emphasized that such behavior had no place within their programs and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the values of respect and integrity that the community expects and deserves. Zullo’s firing elicited a strong response from the District, highlighting their zero-tolerance policy for such actions. The response to the incident reflected a prioritization of the well-being and dignity of the student-athletes, as well as the maintenance of a positive and safe environment in sports programs.
The news of Zullo’s firing and citation spread quickly, drawing attention to issues of coach misconduct and appropriate behavior in sports. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and ensuring a positive and supportive environment for student-athletes. The actions taken by the Northville Central School District in response to the incident demonstrated a commitment to addressing inappropriate behavior and prioritizing the well-being of their students. Zullo’s apology and acknowledgment of his wrongdoing reflected an understanding of the seriousness of the situation and a desire to take responsibility for his actions.
