Former soccer coach at suburban Chicago high school charged in hazing, battery of students

CHICAGO — A former coach at a suburban Chicago high school faces charges in connection with the alleged hazing and battery of members of the school's soccer team.

Thirty-seven-year-old Michael Divincenzo (dih-vihn-SEHN'-zoh), of Elk Grove Village, was charged Wednesday with hazing, battery and failure to report abuse.

The criminal complaint says older members of the Maine West High School soccer team subjected four players to abuse that in some cases included holding them to the ground, removing their shorts and poking their buttocks area with their hands and other objects.

Cook County prosecutors say Divincenzo was aware of the abuse and even threatened players with acts of violence by older teammates.

Divincenzo's attorney, Tom Breen, told the Chicago Sun-Times his client did not participate and had no knowledge of the incidents.

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