Homecoming Game Canceled After Shooting Incident Causes Wheaton Football Team To Forfeit

WHEATON, IL — A recent shooting incident near Chicago's Hope Field Altgeld Park has caused a Wheaton high school football team to forfeit an upcoming game and push back homecoming for the hosting school. Players at Chicago Hope Academy will not take the field against Wheaton's St. Francis High School Friday due to safety concerns that St. Francis officials say stem from the shooting.

"In light of the incident last Friday and another shooting at the same park during little league games, we felt it was necessary to discuss with Hope Academy moving the game to another location," St. Francis President Tom Bednar said in a statement.

Mike Kelly, head coach at Chicago Hope Academy wasn't keen on the idea of moving the game to St. Francis. He told CBS Chicago “Going to St. Francis for our homecoming just seemed like a ridiculous request." Kelly also said there were other logistical reasons that made it difficult to find another place to hold the game.

In the end, St. Francis's Bednar wrote,"The safety of ALL players, coaches, students and fans is our primary concern."

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