Andover Hockey Coaches Allegedly Denied Players Food, Water

ANDOVER, MA — Three coaches of the Andover High boys' hockey team - reportedly including the head coach - are on leave while the Department of Children and Families investigates two instances where the team was allegedly refused a water break and food as punitive measures, the school confirmed Thursday.

The coaches were not identified. The head coach of the team is Chris Kuchar, according to the MIAA website.

Andover Public Schools said the two incidents being reviewed by DCF were during a practice following a loss where the players weren't allowed a water break during conditioning and on the road back from an away loss where the students were denied food.

The incidents were described Wednesday night by the Andover School Committee as "coaching practices that would ... not be in the best interests of the students.

The school said it will be conducting its own investigation into the allegations.

"We have the utmost confidence in DCF and in High School Principal Philip Conrad, Athletic Director Bill Martin, and Superintendent Sheldon Berman to conduct full, impartial reviews and present the facts to the public," the School Committee said.

Photo by Chris Liverani on Unsplash