Varsity Football Season Canceled In Jenkintown

JENKINTOWN BOROUGH, PA — After a neighboring school district ended its high school football season over a hazing incident, the School District of Jenkintown is pulling the plug on its football program.

Jenkintown High School Principal Thomas Roller and Athletic Director Aubrie Breisblatt sent a letter to the community on Wednesday stating that the remainder of the varsity football season is being canceled.

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School officials said the remainder of the varsity football season schedule is being scrapped because the football program lacks a roster size and consistent player participation to keep players safe.

"After continued evaluation of our team's roster, participation levels, and the demands of the varsity schedule, our head football coach, in coordination with our administration, determined that continuing competition for the remainder of the season would not be in the best interest of our student-athletes, particularly from a safety standpoint," school officials said.

School officials said that throughout the preseason and opening weeks of the season, the program faced ongoing challenges related to roster size and consistent player participation.

"Despite continued efforts by our coaching staff to recruit and retain student-athletes, the number of players consistently available was not sufficient to safely sustain a varsity football schedule," school officials said.

Those challenges led to game forfeitures, school officials said.

"Ultimately, continuing to compete under these circumstances would place significant physical demands on a limited number of players," school officials said.

School officials said that while varsity competition is ending, the football program will continue with coaches working with students committed to the program through practices, skill development, strength and conditioning, and other opportunities focused on player development and building the program for the future.

"The district will continue to evaluate the future of the football program and work with our coaching and athletic staff to determine a sustainable path forward that prioritizes student safety and meaningful athletic opportunities," school officials said.

Hazing allegations prompted the Cheltenham School District to cancel the high school football game and suspend the season late last year.

That led to charges against 10 people involved in the high school football program for the assault on a student player and the resignation of the schools superintendent.