Dr. Brian W. Scriven, superintendent of the Cheltenham School District, issued an update to the school community today regarding Cheltenham High School’s football program.
According to the update, both the varsity and junior varsity programs will be cancelled for the 2026 season, though a ninth-grade team will be fielded. Today’s message served as a follow up to Dr. Scriven’s notice in January regarding the external hazing investigation of the football program.
Suspected hazing was first made public in October 2025 when the district received anonymous allegations described as “deeply concerning and, if substantiated, wholly inconsistent with our values as a district.” Cheltenham school officials immediately reported the information to ChildLine services and the Cheltenham Township Police Department “and followed all legally mandated procedures to investigate the alleged incident, which we believed to be isolated.”
Three days later, Dr. Scriven announced that the duration of the 2025 Cheltenham High School football season was cancelled.
The external investigation confirmed that reported student-on-student assault “did, in fact, take place in the football locker room on September 3, 2025, and that approximately 19 students who witnessed the assault made no attempt to stop the event, and several participated freely in it. Several students also filmed the assault,” Dr. Scriven wrote.
The investigation also revealed “insufficient student supervision in the locker room by the coaching staff; a failure to prioritize student safety by the coaching staff and/or adult volunteers; failure of the coaching staff to speak to the students about anti-bullying and hazing; a general lack of credibility on the part of many of those interviewed during the investigatory process; and a toxic and negative culture within the current football program,” Dr. Scriven wrote.
The investigation did not “fully substantiate a pattern of hazing”, according to January’s update, though the entire coaching staff was relieved, among other measures.
In today’s update, Dr. Scriven noted that “several critical tasks were identified as needing to take place before the program could be resumed.”
The update continues:
The completion of critical tasks required to reset the program is directly dependent on the findings from both the internal and external investigations currently underway. Until those investigations are concluded and their findings are known, it is not possible to define, develop, or execute the necessary corrective actions. The district cannot build a path forward around unknowns. The scope and nature of what must be addressed will be determined by the evidence, and that process must be allowed to run its course before any meaningful next steps can be taken.
Although a varsity or junior varsity football season will not take place this year, the district will field a ninth-grade team.
In connection with making a decision on this year’s varsity and junior varsity football season, the district consulted with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to understand the process and procedures related to athletic eligibility and transfer protocol. PIAA has advised that students or parents/guardians with questions should direct them to PIAA District One Committee Executive Director Sean Kelly.
The district recognizes that this uncertainty is difficult for students, families, and staff, and we are committed to ensuring that no one navigates this time alone. Beginning tomorrow and continuing through the end of the school year, wraparound support services will be available to anyone who needs them. Licensed counselors will be present and accessible in the counseling office to provide mental health support, a space to process, and guidance for those who may be struggling with the impact of this situation. We encourage anyone who is feeling the weight of this to reach out.
We will begin exploring opportunities to work with coaches and advisors more intentionally to ensure pep band, drumline, color guard, and cheerleading continue to have opportunities to compete and proudly represent Cheltenham High School.
Under our current structure, during the fall season, these programs primarily provide school spirit and entertainment during football games. However, the energy, pride, and sense of community that these groups bring should be experienced and appreciated across all of our athletic programs. Our students, families, and fans deserve the opportunity to enjoy the spirit and excitement that these teams contribute to the overall game-day experience.
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