Nassau investigates hazing on Fernandina Beach High School wrestling team

Fernandina Beach police and Nassau County school officials say a student on a high school wrestling team was hit at least 14 times with a paddle in what the district is calling hazing.

Other students struck their teammate multiple times Nov. 28 during an after-school practice at Fernandina Beach High School, according to a police report. His parents reported it to police Nov. 30.

Investigators classified the incident as battery. Large bruises to the boy's buttocks were visible three days after he was hit, the report said. The investigation is ongoing.

Five students have been disciplined, according to Sharyl Wood, the school district's executive director of administrative services. None was expelled.

Two school employees also were disciplined, Wood said. Neither of the adults are allowed to coach while the district conducts its own investigation. One, a teacher, can still teach academic courses. The other, whose title is community coach, worked only in athletics.

Wood said she could not discuss anymore particulars.

For now Fernandina Beach's wrestlers have no coach, Wood said. If the school doesn't find someone for the position by mid-January, the team's season will end.

District wrestling tournaments are scheduled for Jan. 30 through Feb. 4, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Hazing has been in the news since the Nov. 19 death of Robert Champion, a 26-year-old drum major for the Florida A&M University marching band. Criminal and school investigators are looking into what many have described as a history of hazing that led to the death.