A New York high school basketball coach has been charged with harassment after he was caught on video pulling a player’s hair following a tough loss in the state championship game.
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Jim Zullo, 81, who coached the Northville High School girls basketball team, was charged on Monday, according to Hudson Valley Community College Public Safety. The incident occurred Friday night after Northville’s 43-37 loss to LaFargeville in the Class D girls basketball final held at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
Video from the scene shows Zullo grabbing the ponytail of Hailey Monroe, the program’s all-time leading scorer, as the team walked off the court.
Within hours of the footage circulating online, the school district fired Zullo. On Sunday, Zullo issued a public apology, acknowledging his behavior was unacceptable.
“As a coach, under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player, and I am truly sorry,” Zullo said. “I wish I could have those moments back.”
Zullo has been issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Troy City Court at a later date.
