YAKIMA – Allegations of hazing by a player in the Zillah player and his father – including the use shock collars, having BB gun battles and proximity to snakes – helped launched a monthslong investigation into the highly successful program, and helped push popular coach Mario Mengarelli toward resignation.

The 54-page report, which was obtained by Stat Hound Media and written by Michael Shay of the Ephrata-based Clear Risk Solutions, finds many of the hazing allegations to be “substantiated in part,” meaning that parts of the allegations were supported, but not the entirety.

• READ THE REPORT

Allegations of coaches drinking alcohol around students also were found to be “substantiated in part.”

The investigation also concluded that the activities outlined in the investigation “included physical risk, discomfort or potentially humiliating or coercive elements within a team environment."

Mengarelli was out of town, and unavailable for comment Friday.

“It’s just an unfortunate situation that happened, and we’re moving forward,” Zillah School District Superintendent Doug Burge. “It has had an effect on our community, and it’s something we’ll have to grow through.”

Allegations against the program first focused on illegal recruiting, something that has been levied for years against Zillah because players from other schools have found their way to the Leopards.

But administrators said the district does its due diligence, and evidence could not be provided that coaches were involved in recruiting out-of-district players.

Hazing allegations then were taken to administrators within the district shortly after the Leopards finished second in the 1A state tournament in the Yakima Valley SunDome, the loss to Lynden Christian in the title game their only loss.

The investigation began April 28, with the report delivered July 22.

Nearly three dozen administrators, teachers, coaches, players and their parents were interviewed for the report, with most voicing support for Mengarelli, whose resignation was accepted at the June 25 Zillah School Board meeting, two days after it was submitted.

Names of the players and parents were redacted in the report, pursuant to state privacy laws.

The alleged use of shock collars during a team gathering in early February at Mengarelli’s home was acknowledged by the coach and others. Team members at the gathering told Shay that players voluntarily wore the collars on their arms, ankles or necks, and would be shocked should they miss a free throw.

While many said the resulting shock felt like a pinch, the complainant’s son said the pain was a “7” on a scale from 1-10. He also equated it to roughhousing with team members, and Mengarelli and other coaches.

Another player acknowledged wrestling with Mengarelli, or his use of pressure points, but found the activities innocuous.

The use of BB guns also was a subject covered in the investigation, with the complainant saying players would shoot at each other, and would be left with bruises after being hit.

Mengarelli, who reportedly chased players with a BB gun in hand, told Shay that that BB guns and airsoft guns were used for target-shooting competitions, and not for shooting at players.

Students said that players did shoot at each other, but it was not part of the coach-led activity.

Snakes also took up a chunk of the investigation. While the complainant said rattlesnakes were used to scare students, no other interviewee said they saw rattlesnakes.

Mengarelli said bull snakes, which are non-venomous and rarely bite, were used to teach safety with the reptiles.

He also denied throwing snakes at players, but said he would prank the students with a rubber snake, and would startle others holding snakes.

Like the other activities, students and parents described interaction with snakes as voluntary.

Use of alcohol was found to be at after-game gatherings and informal events, and not team dinners.

While the resignation of assistant coach Sebastian Godina also was accepted at the June 25 ZSD meeting, the rest of the coaching state also has stepped down.

“We were doing country things,” said 1996 Zillah graduate Erick Delp, who was an assistant on Mengarelli’s staff for all 10 seasons the Granger graduate guided the Class 1A powerhouse. “Mario did things to get kids out of their shells and the kids were like, ‘hell, yeah.’

“It was the most inclusive I’ve ever seen a coach be with anybody.”

Delp had three sons and three more family members play for Mengarelli, who won better than 91% of his games – easily the highest percentage of any coach with more than 200 victories – and three championships.

The former Union Gap police detective acknowledged Mengarelli's out-of-the-box methods of team building, but said they were effective.

“That was Mario’s unorthodox way of building a family,” Delp said. “When you make it sound worse than it is, you have the shock value.”

Mengarelli remains very popular in the community, with many residents putting up yard signs reading, “I stand with our coaches,” and including the program’s logo.

Outside the home of the parents of a Leopards player, a flag was flown that read ‘FTR 91.4%,’ representing ‘For the record,’ and Mengarelli’s winning percentage.

The district announced the hiring of Zillah alum Jared Ellis on Friday.