PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Cheltenham High School has canceled its football program for the rest of the season following allegations of hazing.
In a letter to the school community on Sunday, Cheltenham School District Superintendent Brian Scriven said, “We do not condone or tolerate hazing or abuse of any kind in our sports programs or in our schools. It is our duty and obligation to protect and prioritize student safety and well-being, even when we know that our decisions may come with consequences and disappointment.”
According to Scriven, district officials received a report about three weeks ago that a student was assaulted in the locker room. The incident was reported to police and the state, per district protocol.
At first, the incident was thought to be isolated. Upon further investigation, Cheltenham police discovered “hazing and/or inappropriate physical conduct may be occurring more broadly in the program” among multiple teammates.
On Friday, the district received an anonymous tip about another allegation against players on the football team — the same day the team was scheduled to play against Harry S. Truman High School. That game was canceled, and the season was temporarily suspended.
On Sunday, the decision to permanently cancel the rest of the football season was made.
“Hazing is a very serious and significant issue in school athletic programs and can lead to criminal charges,” Scriven said. “We ask for continued patience and respect for our obligation to thoroughly investigate these allegations. We also ask that our school community not rush to judgment against any of our student-athletes or coaches.”
The cancellation of the season impacts not only high school football players but members of the band, color guard, drumline and cheer programs. The district is working on ways to recreate senior night for the “uninvolved” students who did not get a chance to “participate in that important tradition due to the cancellation of Friday’s game.”
School counselors and social workers were made available on Monday to provide support to staff and students.
The criminal investigation into the hazing allegations is ongoing. Anyone with any information on the matter is asked to contact the Cheltenham Township Police Department.