PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — About 19 students witnessed a violent assault in a Cheltenham High School football locker room last September and did nothing to stop it, according to the findings of a third-party investigation into the reported hazing.
In a letter to the school community, Cheltenham Superintendent Brian Scriven said an independent investigation has been completed. It found no pattern of hazing, but there was a “toxic and negative culture” within the football program.
The incident led to the cancellation of the rest of the team’s season.
School officials placed a lot of the blame on the coaches and adult volunteers, saying they did not do enough to supervise students in the locker room.
Scriven said the school will have to rebuild the football program, though next season is not guaranteed.
“In the coming weeks and months, the district will be working diligently to implement the recommendations from the external investigation,” he said. “Some of the initial steps that the district will be taking will include identifying and hiring new, highly qualified coaching staff who demonstrate a strong commitment to leading student-athletes in a positive and responsible manner.
“Having a 2026 season is largely contingent on identifying, hiring, and onboarding the right coaching staff,” he continued, “and on the cooperation of parents/guardians, students, and staff in doing their part to address the recommendations that will strengthen our program.”
Scriven also said some students may be disciplined and not eligible to play, while the students who were not involved in the incident will play an important role in establishing a positive culture going forward.
Cheltenham police and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office are still investigating.