The City School District of New Rochelle has been silent on the Ray Rice issue. They have yet to explain why Ray Rice’s photo and plaque was removed from the New Rochelle High School Wall of Fame but two of his jerseys remained hanging in the school’s gymnasium. They have not explained why, this morning, Rice’s #27 Ravens jersey was removed by Rice’s #5 jersey was not. I have requested comment on all of this and more from Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne and New Rochelle High School Principal Reggie Richardson but have not received a response.
Reaction from around New Rochelle: lohud.com, nj.com, Facebook, News12.
Noam Bramson, Mayor of New Rochelle:
“Ray made a terrible mistake and is now paying the price. For those of us in New Rochelle who have known Ray and admired his work for the community, this entire episode has been a source of great sadness. At the same time, the Rice family is part of the New Rochelle family, and we hope for healing for all involved.”
Jim Maisano, Vice Chairman Westchester County Board of Legislators:
“Every time a man hits a woman or a child similar to what Rice did, we immediately learn 2 things about him: 1) he is a coward, and 2) he is a criminal.”
Lou DiRienzo, Head Football Coach of New Rochelle High School:
“It’s Ray, his wife and his kid.”
Joe Fosina, President of New Rochelle Youth Tackle Football:
“”I would not knock Ray as a human being. I would knock Ray for what he did. That’s where the emphasis should be. Ray used to say always when he talked to kids: ‘You make one mistake in life, and it could change your whole life.’ He preached that.”
“Ray never forgot where he came from and we’re not going to forget him.”
“What he did was a bad thing, but we have guys that have killed cops and killed children and haven’t gotten blasted in the media like Ray has. People who’ve done so much worse — rapists and murderers … don’t get crucified like this.”
“He has given not only of his time but of his money and all of those kinds of things and he made one mistake and I don’t know anybody who hasn’t made one mistake.
“Ray made a mistake, we all know that, and Ray knows that Ray said that clearly that he’s sorry for what he did.”
“Ray’s been a great kid as a youngster, he’s been a great man, he’s done so much in our community, the Baltimore community.”
“This league [New Rochelle Youth Tackle Football]as a whole, both its staff and coaches, are solid behind Ray in all that he does.
Fosina said he wouldn’t hesitate to hold another “Ray Rice Day” this year.
Gary Torigian, co-owner of Spectator’s Sports Pub and Restaurant:
“You’d hate to see this five-minute show of rage come to define him. That would be so unfortunate…That must have been a long day of partying and drinking.”
“It’s appalling that people have abandoned him like that. Even Rutgers. America is a place where people get a second chance. This guy is a good kid. It’s like they’re throwing him under the bus.”
In gathering these quotes, I was surprised to read this exchange where Torigian is being harassed and maybe even threatened with a boycott (granted most likely from people who could not find Spectators with a GPS, a compass and a map).
A few minutes later, the phone rings and Torigian takes a call from a woman angry over comments he made to a newspaper Monday.
“What a minute, you’re calling me to tell me that you’re offended by my opinion?” Torigian shouts into the phone. “I’m sorry you are. But I am entitled to my opinion. … Yeah, I have daughters, too. … Why don’t you come and speak to me face to face? … Okay, you wouldn’t come near my establishment? Okay. Fantastic. Well, you spread the word. Thank you!”
The nj.com reports that the City School District of New Rochelle said Tuesday that no decision has been made to take down Rice memorabilia.
Earlier Tuesday at New Rochelle High — the sprawling red brick school where Rice starred for the Huguenots — a woman at the main entrance turns away a reporter. Inquiries for principal Reginald Richardson and football coach Lou DiRienzo asking about the Rice memorabilia hanging in the school are referred to a public relations firm, which says no decisions have been made on whether to remove any or all traces of Rice.
Not sure what time they said this but by the afternoon this was true…
Other than these four people, all of those who benefited for years from their assocation with Ray Rice have run for the exits.
Lou Young at CBS 2 News said it best:
For all the hero worship and praise his old school heaped on Rice during his rise to fame, the school district in New Rochelle has been silent in his hour of disgrace.
More quotes from prominent New Rochelleans on this topic will be added as we find them.