5 Players Facing Suspensions Over Harlem Shake YouTube Video

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A video posted on YouTube has resulted in in-school and game suspensions for five Avon Lake High School baseball players.

Superintendent Bob Scott had said earlier this week that the students could face discipline from the athletic office in addition to scholastic discipline.

Scott said 18 JV and varsity players were identified in the video, which shows some of them simulating sex acts as Harlem Shake plays.

“Five players were identified as being inappropriate,” Scott said.

The five will receive up to three days of in school suspension and up to two game suspensions.

Scott said the baseball team will also be doing community service.

The team opens the season April 1 against Elyria Catholic High School.

“One activity has already been set,” Scott said, but added he wasn’t aware yet what it was.

Coaches will be advising team members of consequences associated with inappropriate behavior.

“Some lessons are harder than others,” Scott said. “Avon Lake City Schools will use this incident as a lesson as we continue to work with students on appropriate behavior, how your actions can affect you and others (intended and unintended) as well our ongoing work with students on the uses of media and the dangers that media (social and other areas) can present,” Scott said by email.

The 30-second video, posted on YouTube March 5, opens with about a dozen members of the team readying for play, while one featured student simulates a sex act, while dressed, on a trashcan. After approximately 15 seconds, the entire team is featured dancing, some in compromising positions and some simply dancing. 

The video, which video appeared to have been taken in the Avon Lake locker room, where a large “AL” logo was visible on the floor throughout the footage, was taken down March 11 as soon as school officials were notified. The video had been seen almost 700 times before it was removed.

Avon-Avon Lake Patch was tipped off by a reader came across the video while searching for Shoremen sports.

"It was completely inappropriate and appropriate actions will be taken,” Scott said the day he was notified.

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