Hazing Incident Investigation

As a parent of a Westlake High School wrestler, I would like to convey to all those who have written to the editorial section that we as parents appreciate your concern for the safety of students.

Many have questioned why the parents have remained so quiet as to the facts of the case. Many also equate quietness with guilt. This could not be further from the truth.

The parents are in the process of conducting a methodical and systematic investigation of the facts. What has been discovered so far is that there was some indiscretion on the part of some wrestlers, however, nothing close to the administration’s claim of “gross team misconduct.”

As a matter of fact, there was one incident that could be described as “hazing” involving four wrestlers. The other two incidents were not even remotely connected to hazing. One involved a female and male student (who happened to be a wrestler) with a history of friendship. The other involved a wrestler who picked up another male student for allegedly talking “trash” and carried him up a hill. This entire incident was observed and stopped by a Westlake High School teacher.

The parents’ investigation reveals that there was never a proper preliminary investigation to separate fact from rumor. Unfortunately the press printed what they had: rumors. Because of this not only the wrestling team will suffer, but every athlete will suffer, every student will suffer, every teacher will suffer and everybody in the community will suffer.

We will never be able to repair what has occurred with this incident. However, as parents we want to meet with the administration and ensure that this never happens again. We all must share in taking responsibility for what has happened. Please, don’t judge our wrestlers on what you have read. The truth is about to be exposed.

BILL HUTTON

Thousand Oaks