A Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center basketball coach was arrested Saturday on an assault charge after allegedly punching a juvenile who was playing basketball at the center, according to Nassau County police.
The coach, Cheikh Khadim Ndiaye of Queens, was charged with third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, police said. He has since been suspended from his coaching position, Sid Jacobson Executive Director David Black wrote in an email to the community.
Police responded to the victim’s home, where the juvenile said he was in pain and bruised because of an incident at the community center, according to police. The victim was punched in both arms, police said.
“When this matter was brought to our attention, we took immediate action prohibiting [Ndiaye’s] entry onto the premises and suspending his employment pending the investigation,” Black said in his email. “We are co-operating fully with law enforcement and have launched a comprehensive internal investigation.”
Ndiaye was arraigned Monday in Nassau County District Court in Hempstead and is scheduled to appear in court June 4.
“The security and well-being of all of our members, especially our youth, is of paramount importance,” Black wrote. “We will not tolerate any environment that is not safe and healthy for all in our community, including our youngest, every participant and member, and our staff.”
An earlier version of this article said Cheikh Khadim Ndiaye has been fired from his coaching position. He has been suspended, not fired.
