- On December 20 at a Castleton Corners CYO sixth-grade game between St. Teresa and Saint Clare, two mothers exchanged punches courtside.
- Video shows the argument escalating into hair-pulling and rapid punches as referees and staff rushed in while family members later joined the brawl.
- CYO Director Michael Neely announced both families were banned indefinitely, citing a zero-tolerance stance for violent spectator behavior at youth games.
- Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella introduced stricter rules, imposing an automatic one-year ban for any spectator ejected from a game.
STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK — A 6th-grade basketball game turned violent last month.
Disastrous Moment Captured on Video
The incident occurred on December 20. St. Teresa was playing against Saint Clare in Castleton Corners. Footage shows two women arguing heatedly near the sidelines.
One woman shoved the other. The situation exploded instantly. The moms grabbed each other by the hair. They traded rapid-fire punches to the head. Referees and school staff rushed in to separate them.
Families Banned Indefinitely
Men in the crowd eventually pulled the women apart. However, the violence reignited moments later. Family members of both women jumped into the fray.
CYO officials acted swiftly. Director Michael Neely announced that both families are banned from attending games indefinitely. He stated the organization has zero tolerance for such behavior.
New Rules for Spectators
The brawl prompted immediate policy changes. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella announced strict new penalties on Tuesday. Any spectator ejected from a game now faces an automatic one-year ban.
"The mission was about the kids," Fossella said. He noted that a few out-of-control adults had ruined the experience for everyone.
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