The Neshaminy School Board voted unanimously Tuesday evening to remove teacher Jerry Devine as the team’s head basketball coach.
The vote to remove Devine came after video of him slamming into a referee during a basketball game made national headlines earlier this month.
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While Devine has been reinstated to his teaching position at Neshaminy High School, Middletown police Detective Aileen Torrente has filed a summary harassment charge in connection with the January 6 incident that happened during the Neshaminy basketball team’s game against Pennsbury.
A summary harassment charge is punishable by a jail sentence of up to 90 days and a fine not to exceed $300, Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler said earlier this month.
The contact between Devine and the PIAA referee appears to be a head-butt. The incident happened after a disputed call toward the end of the game. The referee fell to the ground after Devine’s lunge toward him.
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Video of the incident was posted to Twitter by a teenager from Yardley shortly after the game. A basketball niche website and LevittowNow.com obtained video of the incident, which quickly spread to outlets like ESPN, NBC News and The Los Angeles Times. A second angle of the incident was later posted by Levittown radio station WBCB, which broadcast the game on-air and online.
The WBCB footage shows Devine being escorted out of the game following the incident with the referee.
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Devine, who teaches emotional support classes and has been praised by former students for his skills in the classroom, has remained quiet on the issue and reportedly did not attend Tuesday evening’s school board meeting.
“The athletic program at Neshaminy places the values of fair play and sportsmanlike conduct above all. We expect our coaches and staff to teach and uphold those principles, while acting in a professional manner at all times,” a statement released by the district earlier this month said.
