Legendary New York coach Jim Zullo cited for harassment after hair-pulling incident

[ASFN Admin]

Former Northville High School (N.Y.) basketball coach Jim Zullo has been cited for second-degree harassment because of the incident at the end of last week's playoff loss that cost the Hall of Famer his job.

Zullo pulled Hailey Monroe's ponytail at the end of the state title game. The video went viral, and in the aftermath, the longtime coach was fired.

Northville High School girls' basketball coach Jim Zullo pulled player Hailey Monroe's hair after their loss in the New York Class D state championship game.

The school district released a statement that the coach was promptly fired and would never coach in the district again.… pic.twitter.com/NGMuwC9uxq

— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) March 24, 2025

The Albany Times-Union reported that, per a statement from the Hudson Valley Community College Department of Public Safety, a complaint for harassment was filed on Sunday— the same day Zullo also offered an apology for his actions.

Jim Zullo has been issued an appearance ticket for harassment in the second degree stemming from the incident where the former Northville coach pulled on the ponytail of player Hailey Monroe following Friday's state championship game:https://t.co/9Hskcewg0Q

— Adam Shinder (@Adam_Shinder) March 24, 2025

Zullo was issued a desk appearance ticket on Monday.

The charge is a misdemeanor. It goes as follows by the legal system in the region.

Harassment in the second degree is a violation in New York, not a criminal offense. According to Section 240.26 of New York Penal Law:

“A person is guilty of harassment in the second degree when, with intent to harass, annoy or alarm another person:

“1. He or she strikes, shoves, kicks or otherwise subjects such other person to physical contact, or attempts or threatens to do the same; or

“2. He or she follows a person in or about a public place or places; or

“3. He or she engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which alarm or seriously annoy such other person and which serve no legitimate purpose.”

Zullo's apology said in a statement: “I deeply regret my behavior following the loss to La Fargeville Friday night in the Class D state championship game. I want to offer my sincerest apologies to Hailey and her family, our team, the good folks at Northville Central Schools and our community,” he wrote. “As a coach, under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player, and I am truly sorry. I wish I could have those moments back. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached girls basketball at Northville the past two years, especially last season, which was a difficult time for our family. I am super proud of every one of these young women and what they accomplished. I know each of them will go on to do great things and I wish them well.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Former coach Jim Zullo to appear in court over hair-pulling incident

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