Pennsylvania High School Cancels Season Due to Hazing Allegations

Another high school football team has decided to cancel the rest of its season in light of hazing allegations. Central Bucks High School West of Doylestown, Pa., canceled its remaining two games and suspended its varsity and junior varsity coaching staffs due to these allegations.

From Philly dot com:

"In a letter to parents, Superintendent David Weitzel said an investigation determined that rookies on the team had been required to grab the private parts of other players while fully clothed in front of the rest of the team. Most of the players took part in the activities, which he called “offensive and disrespectful.” Players who did not directly participate, but witnessed and failed to report the activities, were also guilty, the superintendent said. Because the coaching staff had failed to “properly supervise activities, swift and firm action is absolutely necessary,” he said in a statement."

The Associated Press reports that players were subject to other hazing rituals, including what was described as “waterboarding”:

"Central Bucks Regional Police Department Chief James Donnelly said the school’s principal had told him that one of the initiation rites involved placing towels over players’ heads and leading them into the shower. He said players referred to the practice as “waterboarding,” but that he didn’t consider fit the definition. Waterboarding is a form of torture in which water is poured over a cloth placed on a victim’s face to simulate drowning."

Sayreville High School in New Jersey canceled its season earlier this month after widespread, disturbing hazing allegations came to light. According to the statement from Weitzel the school district became aware of the allegations on Oct. 14 and will release more details later this month.

Current Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine is an alumnus of Central Bucks High School West. He played and later coached under his father, Mike Sr., who retired in 1999 with an all-time record of 327-42-4.