YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A nationally known hazing attorney says the lawsuit filed against Ursuline High School could have ripple effects far beyond the courtroom.

Attorney David W. Bianchi of Miami, Florida, has represented families in hazing cases across the country for more than four decades. He told 21 News the federal complaint against Ursuline administrators, coaches and players raises the possibility of both criminal charges and school sanctions.

“Criminal charges are always a possibility when there’s a hazing incident,” Bianchi said. “If the facts that have been alleged are true, then there could be a police investigation. When the police investigation is over, they’ll turn the investigation over to the local prosecutor, and the prosecutor will make a decision as to whether or not criminal charges should be filed.”

Beyond potential criminal liability, Bianchi said individuals and institutions could face discipline. He noted students could be suspended or expelled, faculty and administrators could face consequences if they failed to act, and the athletic conference that oversees Ursuline football could investigate. “If they wanted to, they could impose some sanctions on the football program,” he said.

Bianchi also cautioned that the impact of hazing cases is often long-lasting. “Parents may think twice about sending their kids here,” he said, adding that incidents like this can leave a permanent mark online. “It’s boys being boys until it happens to your son, and then all of a sudden it’s not that anymore.”

He said hazing lawsuits often follow those involved for decades. “This will haunt these guys for a long time, because of the internet,” Bianchi said. “It’s like gum on the bottom of your shoe — you cannot shake it, it will follow them forever.”

The 200-page lawsuit filed last week accuses Ursuline coaches of ignoring or dismissing players’ concerns during a summer football trip. It alleges a player was held down, stripped, humiliated and assaulted while other students recorded the incident and shared the videos online. The complaint also claims administrators attempted to cover up what happened by deleting social media posts and warning players not to speak about the incidents.

In a statement, Ursuline officials called the matter an isolated incident involving a limited number of team members and said it was handled under the school’s Code of Conduct. They denied that there was ever an attempt to cover it up.

Bianchi said hazing remains a widespread issue across the country despite state laws, school policies and prevention programs. “Unfortunately, hazing is a real and ongoing problem in the United States, and it’s not getting any better,” he said.

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