Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) said Tuesday a decision by a Mercer County Superior Court judge last Friday, which allowed an embattled St. John Vianney wrestler to participate in a regional tournament, “set a bad precedent for scholastic sports.”
In a statement released Tuesday, Sarlo, a member of the NJSIAA Executive Committee, pledged “full, unqualified support of the NJSIAA for disqualifying Anthony Knox Jr. from further competition for his abhorrent actions at the high school wrestling match in Collingswood.”
“I do not believe that the NJSAA’s disciplinary actions should be overturned. It sets a bad precedent for scholastic sports and a bad example for young athletes. In an era when many premiere athletes are receiving financial compensation and the help of alumni, they can evade justifiable consequences by going to court.”
Sarlo joined the Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey and the NJSIAA Executive Committee in supporting the Association’s legal attempts to have Knox disqualified from further participation in the NJSIAA/IBEW Local 120 State Wrestling Championships in Atlantic City. The tournament begins at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on Thursday morning.
“Participation in scholastic athletics is a privilege with responsibilities. This is especially important for young athletes who need to learn how to compete with integrity,” Sarlo said.
“If you’re an athlete playing for a school which is an NJSIAA member, you agree to abide by its rules and regulations,” Sarlo added. “If you don’t, then don’t enter.”
On Jan. 22, in the District 25 Tournament at Collingswood High School, Knox Jr. entered the stands and participated in a brawl in the stands of the gymnasium.
On Tuesday, Collingswood police charged Knox Jr., of Monmouth Beach, with simple assault and disorderly conduct causing bodily injury, court documents show.
The officer who filed the complaint said Knox, who raced into the stands, “proceeded to punch (a minor) about the face and head repeatedly.”
According to the complaint, the punches caused “bruising and pain to the right temple area” of the juvenile, whose name was redacted.
The court document also noted officers observed the defendant striking the victim and the defendant was positively identified by officers and numerous witnesses.
Anthony Knox Sr., is believed to have triggered the brawl when he entered the stands to confront spectators who were allegedly heckling St. John Vianney wrestlers.
Internet photos showed Knox Sr. in handcuffs, but charges against him have not yet been filed.
On Feb. 26, Knox Jr. was disqualified from the state wrestling tournament by NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire for violating its sportsmanship rules.
“My role is to uphold the integrity of high school athletics by ensuring that all participants adhere to the same rules and are held to the same standards of sportsmanship and safety,” Maguire said in a scathing statement.
“Let it be clear, the Association cannot, and will not, condone actions that violate its sportsmanship policy or its member school approved rules,” she added.
Knox Jr. field suit in Mercer County Superior Court seeking a stay of the disqualification, which was granted last Friday less than an hour before weigh-ins for the Region 7 Tournament at Lacey High School last weekend.
In turn, the NJSIAA field a motion for a stay pending appeal with the Judge Patrick Bartels seeking to overturn the lower court decision and disqualify Knox Jr. The court has not announced its decision on the NJSIAA appeal.
“I want to reaffirm the established authority of the NJSIAA to enforce its rules, uphold its policies and continue to pursue its mission,” Sarlo said. “That is in the best interest of everyone involved.”
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Joe Zedalis covers Shore Conference wrestling for NJ.com. He can be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com.
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