Cheltenham High School Photo by James Short.
An external investigation into the Cheltenham High School football program has confirmed that a serious assault took place inside the team’s locker room on Sept. 3, an incident witnessed by nearly 20 students and left unchallenged by anyone present, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
According to Superintendent Brian Scriven, several players actively participated in the assault while others stood by, and some students recorded the incident on their phones.
The report cited inadequate adult oversight in the locker room and a failure by coaches and adult volunteers to prioritize student safety. Investigators also found that players had received no anti-bullying or anti-hazing education, contributing to what was described as a toxic and negative environment within the football program.
The findings of the report characterized the football program as:
The assault ultimately led the district to cancel the remainder of the football season in October and to launch a broader investigation into allegations of hazing within the program. While investigators did not fully substantiate a long-term pattern of hazing, their findings pointed to problems within the team’s culture and supervision.
Scriven acknowledged that the investigative process itself was complicated by what he described as a general lack of credibility among some of those interviewed.
At the time of the incident, the team was led by head coach Terence Tolbert, a Cheltenham High business teacher and former semi-professional football player.
What's Next
Scriven said the district plans to follow all recommendations from the investigation, including hiring and training a new coaching staff committed to positive leadership, accountability, and student safety, as well as strengthening supervision of team activities. Still, he emphasized that returning to the field is not guaranteed.
Scriven stressed that students who were not involved in the incident will play a
The consequences of the incident are still unfolding. Multiple students are facing ongoing Title IX and school disciplinary proceedings that could affect their eligibility to participate in athletics. In addition, both Cheltenham Township police and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office are continuing their own investigations, and criminal charges remain a possibility.
