BY JOHN SNYDER
OF PASCACK PRESS
WESTWOOD, N.J.—The future of the North Jersey NFL Flag Football League is in question as its commissioner, Fred Kritzer, a volunteer, struggles with safety concerns in the wake of an adult’s alleged attack on a local teen who’d stepped up to coach a youth flag football game Sept. 30.
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Closter Public Schools Business Administrator Peter Iappelli, 50, has been charged in Westwood with simple assault and disorderly conduct after witnesses said he allegedly attacked Assistant Pee Wee Jets Coach Philip Bicocchi, 16, putting him in a headlock at the game and sending him to the hospital.
Iappelli “was so enraged that he ran onto the field during their game, and cursed and choked” Philip, Kritzer wrote in an email to league parents and which he provided to the Pascack Press.
“We have a number of spectators and coaches who all agreed to testify to have witnessed this deplorable behavior,” Kritzer added of the attack, which evidently grew from a dispute over who would play what position.
A reporter asked Iappelli as he turned himself in at Westwood Police headquarters on Wednesday, Oct. 4, “Did you put him in a chokehold?”
Iappelli, in a red shirt and blue jeans, and walking slightly behind his attorney, Brian Neary of Hackensack, remained silent.
Philip Bicocchi, a Don Bosco High School student known for his charitable works and public service ambition, “did an incredible job of composing himself in what was truly outrage by an out-of-control adult,” Kritzer said.
He added that the teen “deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the way in which he handled a disgusting situation.”
Philip had stepped up to assume head coaching duties in the absence of the team’s coach on Yom Kippur.
Philip’s father, Westwood Councilman Robert Bicocchi, characterized the situation to the Pascack Press as “a sad day and a traumatizing time. This was a horrific event.”
He added, “This is in the hands of the police, and we’re just going to follow the process,” then said that was all he could say on the record.
Westwood Police Detective Warren Morrell confirmed Iappelli’s charges for Pascack Press and said the defendant would face a probable-cause hearing in Central Municipal Court in Hackensack within weeks.
Morrell speculated that, because Iappelli lacks a record, he might face a fine and anger management classes.
Iappelli’s attorney was said to be in court and had not replied to a request for comment by presstime.
League takes stock of its future
The North Jersey NFL Flag Football League says in its mission statement that “we create an atmosphere where children and their families can get together on Saturday mornings to have FUN!”
This year, 338 boys and girls are enrolled in flag football, covering the ages 6–8 Pee Wee Division, the ages 9–11 Junior Division, and the age 12–13 Senior Division.
There are 42 volunteer coaches, Kritzer said.
He added, “Our league started 19 years ago with 44 players and has grown very nicely to where we are today.”
Many of these players may even be given their very first taste of the fundamentals of football, with emphasis on running, throwing, and catching, through the program.
“We also instill self confidence, sportsmanship, and teamwork,” Kritzer said.
In his remarks to the Pascack Press, Kritzer confirmed he had permanently banned Iappelli’s “entire family” from participating in the NFL Flag Football League, consistent with the league’s code of conduct, which all participating families sign.
“I never thought I would have to enforce these rules,” Kritzer said. “From a pure safety aspect, I am appalled that an adult would attack a coach.”
He said that the episode would be difficult to explain to the younger players and worried that it was clear that such events could happen any place, any time.
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He said before this event he was considering adding a spring league; now he’s sincerely considering canceling the program.
“I’m concerned for the safety of the program for our players and their families. How do you avoid something like this happening in the future?” he asked rhetorically.
He emphasized that he is a volunteer “with a family and a career, like everybody else,” and that the unwelcome pressure and liability could be dealbreakers.
“I did this for 19 years and we had a good time and now we’re moving on,” he speculated, perhaps feeling his way through what he called “mixed emotions.”
“Maybe Ketler Field [at Westwood Middle School] goes back to the Canada geese,” he said.
Kritzer heaped praise on his players and coaches, singling out School District Business Administrator Keith Rosado and Athletic Director Dan Vivino for their dedication and vision.
“We’ve done everything exactly the right way,” he said. “And now this.”
He said his next step would be to turn to participating families and “beg for their cooperation moving forward so that we never have to go through this again.”