Central Bucks West cancels football season amid hazing allegations
The Central Bucks School District has canceled the remainder of the Central Bucks West football season and both varsity and junior varsity coaches have been suspended due to allegations of hazing.
CBSD posted on its website the announcement and also the letter school district superintendent Dr. David P. Weitzel sent to parents and staff. CB West, which was 2-6 overall (1-4 in the Suburban One League Continental Conference) so far this season, had two games remaining on its schedule – a Homecoming contest Friday at War Memorial Field against Central Bucks East and a road game against William Tennent on Oct. 31.
“I recognize that this news will be disappointing and possibly upsetting, to many. However, 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, I believe this swift and firm action is absolutely necessary,” said Weitzel in his letter.
Weitzel’s letter states allegations were first reported on Oct. 14 with interviews held with all team members and the entire coaching staff. That information was discussed with School board, administration, district solicitor and local police to determine the proper action.
The investigation found new West players were expected to participate in several inappropriate initiations, including being required to grab another player’s genitals while fully clothed.
NBCphiladelphia.com, reported that, according to Central Bucks Regional Police, more hazing included a type of waterboarding – placing towels over players head and sending them into showers – and also having another player held down and having his hair cut.
“Our school district’s highest priority is to safeguard the safety and security of all of our students – from classrooms to playing fields – while providing the highest quality of educational experience,” said Weitzel in his letter. “The District Code of Conduct and Discipline in place for the past decade specifically prohibits students from engaging in any acts of ‘hazing and/or initiation ceremonies’ or similar conduct, which ‘disrupts or interferes with any student’s curricular or extracurricular experiences.'”
The majority of players, all who are bound to follow the Code of Conduct as a pre-condition for team participation, were in violation through their offensive and disrespectful actions in what were supposed to be preseason team-building activities.”
Brian Hensel has been head coach of the CB West varsity football team since the 2009 season and has a 31-33 overall record after last Friday’s loss to Council Rock North.
The Bucks were a state powerhouse in the late 90s, winning a then-state record 59 games as the won three PIAA Class AAAA titles (97-99) and reached the state final in 2000. The program struggled in the last decade, but Hensel had made West competitive – the Bucks reaching the District 1-AAAA quarterfinals in 2010 and 2013.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE SUPERINTENDENT’S LETTER AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S STATEMENT
