Another high school's football season canceled due to hazing

[redheadbaker]

www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/20141024_CB_West_football_season_canceled_amid_hazing_allegations.html

Central Bucks West football season canceled amid hazing allegations

The Central Bucks School District [in a nothern suburb of Philadelphia] said Thursday it was canceling the remainder of the football season for Central Bucks West High School because of hazing allegations.

In a statement, Superintendent David Weitzel said: "Based on all available, verified information gathered from an ongoing internal investigation into allegations of improper conduct by numerous Central Bucks West football team members, and the failure of the coaching staff to properly supervise activities, swift and firm action is absolutely necessary."

Weitzel also apologized to any football player subjected to "demeaning actions of fellow players who should have served as role models."

The statement said the allegations came to light on Oct. 14 and that more details would be released at a school board meeting next week.

The team had two more games on its schedule, including a homecoming game planned Friday night against rival Central Bucks East.

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Another article says that the coaches have been suspended. 

[jinkies]

This is my school district. I actually just got a (very detailed) email from the superintendent about this, it was the first I'd heard of any scandal. (The email was to everyone with a kid in the district-- my kid is only 6, and is slated to attend a different high school in the district).

The email did say that all Varsity and JV coaches have been suspended pending further investigation, and that all coaching staff for all teams would be re-instructed on the school's Code of Conduct.

I'm happy with the way they are handling it. This high school has always been the "football" school in the district, so I'm glad they are taking a firm stand rather than trying to stall or explain things away until the last 2 games are over.

ETA: I guess I should have checked facebook first. Unofficial word is that what actually happened was "way worse" than what was detailed in the letter from the superintendent. No real details, except that apparently some kids were waterboarded.

Crap like this always makes me nervous about my kids hitting their teenaged years. My son has no real hope of being a competitive athlete, but I'm sure that won't protect him from assholes like these kids. 

[IIOY]

Central Bucks West?? ::gasp::

[redheadbaker]

Oct 23, 2014 16:10:09 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Central Bucks West?? ::gasp::

I don't think most will get the sarcasm.

[secretlyevil]

So I'm ok if this becomes a trend. Maybe if people realize actions have consequences even for athletes the world will be a little better for it.

[meshaliuknits]

Oct 23, 2014 16:12:52 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Oct 23, 2014 16:10:09 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Central Bucks West?? ::gasp::

I don't think most will get the sarcasm.

I laughed anyway.

[IIOY]

Oct 23, 2014 16:12:52 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Oct 23, 2014 16:10:09 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Central Bucks West?? ::gasp::

I don't think most will get the sarcasm.

My target audience was small. ;-)

[erbear]

Oct 23, 2014 16:56:39 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Oct 23, 2014 16:12:52 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I don't think most will get the sarcasm.

My target audience was small. ;-)

I got ya.

I'm happy to see this.

[auntie]

Oct 23, 2014 16:12:52 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Oct 23, 2014 16:10:09 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Central Bucks West?? ::gasp::

I don't think most will get the sarcasm.

Sarcasm received.

The timing on this is kinda sketchy. 

Sure, they're going to miss two games including the traditional rivalry match with East. But they waited until after Penn State's coach made a scouting visit to the game they played against Council Rock North. 

I was under the impression CB South was the football powerhouse school in that district.

[auntie]

Do you know if the coaches were suspended from teaching as well?

I know when CR North had their issues with football drama in DS's freshman year- bad behavior on the part of a dad who was in an assistant coaching position (family brings new meaning to the term "chew one's ear off") the head coach was suspended from coaching but still taught in the building. Said coach was a lovely man and very active in Special Olympics in the commununity.

The program continued to have behavioral issues- one of DS's friends was shot (BB gun) by a team member in a hazing incident. The mom took the kid to the ER for removal of the pellet, where it was reported to the police which triggered a suspension of the shooter who was a star. The entire team turned on the victim of this, the suspended kid was transferred to South's better team. Ugly stuff.

[IIOY]

Oct 24, 2014 7:14:53 GMT -5 auntie said:

Oct 23, 2014 16:12:52 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I don't think most will get the sarcasm.

Sarcasm received.

The timing on this is kinda sketchy. 

Sure, they're going to miss two games including the traditional rivalry match with East. But they waited until after Penn State's coach made a scouting visit to the game they played against Council Rock North. 
.

Thank you. Plus they are having a losing season. So, you know, yay for accountability.