Cheltenham High School Photo by James Short.
Cheltenham High School has canceled the remainder of its football season following allegations of hazing within the team, district officials announced.
In a letter to the community, Superintendent Brian W. Scriven said the district received anonymous information concerning possible hazing involving members of the football program.
"This information is deeply concerning and, if substantiated, wholly inconsistent with our values as a district," Scriven wrote. "The safety and welfare of our students is, and will always be, our highest priority."
In an email Sunday night to Cheltenham families, Scriven wrote of his decision to cancel the season for the remainder of the season:
I am writing to follow up on Friday evening’s letter regarding the football team. After spending this weekend investigating the hazing allegations, it is with a deep sense of regret that I must share that the district is canceling the duration of the Cheltenham High School football season due to the need to continue and deepen our investigation.
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.
We fully understand this decision will bring a range of emotions and opinions. We are very sensitive to the emotions of those most directly impacted, including our football players and their families, and the students and families participating in our high school pep band, color guard, drumline and cheerleading programs.
As Superintendent, I want to provide as much information as possible as to the details that brought us to this decision point, while also protecting the confidentiality of the investigation.
Approximately three weeks ago, the district received an allegation that a student was assaulted in the football team’s locker room. We immediately reported the information to ChildLine (school districts are required to report allegations of child abuse to this state reporting system), reported the matter to the Cheltenham Township Police Department (CTPD), and followed all legally mandated procedures to investigate the alleged incident, which we believed to be isolated. The CTPD began its own investigation, with which the District has cooperated.
As the investigation was proceeding, additional information came to light indicating that hazing and/or inappropriate physical conduct may be occurring more broadly in the program. Last Friday, we received additional information, including reports indicating multiple team members engaged in hazing through physical contact. That additional information brought us to the decision made on Friday afternoon to temporarily suspend the season and work as swiftly as possible to investigate this new information.
This weekend, we worked diligently and quickly to begin an investigation led by an external consultant, which will continue into the upcoming weeks. We have also been coordinating with the CTPD and have been in contact with the Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney’s office.
This matter remains under active investigation by the CTPD and anyone with information about this matter should contact CTPD.
Hazing is a very serious and significant issue in school athletic programs and can lead to criminal charges. 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 judgement against any of our student-athletes or coaches.
The district will also determine ways to recreate “Senior Night” for the uninvolved football players and cheerleading, pep band, color guard and drumline members who did not participate in that important tradition due to the cancellation of Friday’s game. We will do our very best to involve students as we develop new plans to honor our seniors.
On Monday, the school’s counselors, psychologist, and district social workers will be available to provide support to students and staff. If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone, please contact the counseling office at 215-517-3782.
As a parent, educator, and former coach and student-athlete, I am troubled by this matter on numerous levels. This decision is not one that was made lightly. I will continue to communicate as openly as possible as we work through this in the coming days and weeks. We must move forward as a district and school community committed to student safety and respect, and do all we can to uphold those values.
Respectfully,
Dr. Brian W. Scriven
Superintendent of Schools
The Cheltenham School District has hired an external investigator to examine the allegations.
"While I recognize that this decision deeply affects our students and families, the allegations deserve and require this immediate and decisive action," Scriven said.
