A wrestling coach who was fired from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School after hazing allegations surfaced last month is threatening to sue for back pay and contends that serious hazing on other sports teams has been ignored, according to his lawyer.
Paul F. Wynn, a lawyer representing former wrestling coach Jeff Francis, sent a letter to the Globe on Feb. 27 to “refute the false allegations’’ that Francis was involved in an alleged hazing episode that took place at a wrestling practice.
The letter states that on Jan. 10 Francis learned of allegations that some upperclassmen were hit with a broom by their teammates if they were pinned during matches. The letter describes it as voluntary and a “team building exercise.’’
After checking into the allegations, the letter says, Francis reported what he had learned to the school athletic director two days later. Then, the letter says, Francis was asked to sign an antihazing policy form that school officials wanted to back-date to the start of the season. He was fired on Jan. 13.
In the letter, Francis’s lawyer alleges that sophomores on the football team have been hazed, as have freshmen on the hockey team. The letter also states that Francis believes he was made a scapegoat and was forced to undergo medical treatment in the aftermath of the “slanderous and contrived allegations.’’ Wynn said Francis wants to be paid for the rest of his contract and may seek additional damages against the school.
Superintendent Jacqueline B. Forbes said she did not receive the letter until a Globe reporter contacted her and faxed her a copy.
“On advice of counsel, I have very little to say in response to attorney Wynn’s letter to The Boston Globe, since it threatens a lawsuit,’’ Forbes said in a telephone interview.
“However, I do want to state that I have not received any allegations of hazing by members of the Bridgewater-Raynham football or hockey teams,’’ she said. “If there are any allegations of hazing made, they will be investigated fully, and those responsible will be held accountable. Any actions taken by me have always been and will continue to be in the best interest of the children and students of B-R.’’
According to the letter, Francis coached at Bridgewater-Raynham for 25 years; led the team to the Division I finals in 2009, 2010, and 2011; and his teams have won seven individual state championships, one New England title, and three sectional championships.
Reached by phone, Francis confirmed that he had retained Wynn as his lawyer and that Wynn had sent a letter to the Globe on his behalf. Francis said he was no longer coaching at Bridgewater-Raynham, but declined to comment further on the situation. He directed those questions to his lawyer.
Wynn, a lawyer with the Raynham-based firm Wynn & Wynn P.C., did not return several calls seeking comment.
Athletic director Dan Buron did not return a phone call and an e-mail seeking comment before deadline.
It is still unclear whether any criminal charges will be filed in connection with the alleged hazing at the wrestling practice.
A Bridgewater police spokesman said that the investigation was recently completed and that the chief is consulting with the district attorney’s office on whether to file charges. Bridget Norton Middleton, spokeswoman for Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz’s office, declined to comment.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @emilysweeney.