Suggestions Offered On Jenkintown Football Future

JENKINTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Residents are reacting to the loss of the school district's varsity football program, with some offering solutions and others volunteering to come out of retirement.

Last week, 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.

School officials said the decision was because the football program lacks a roster size and consistent player participation to keep players safe.

Some people commenting on Facebook have offered sympathy and solutions.

"Can they just split them up and put them in Cheltenham and the other half in Abington?" one person posted.

Another hoped that anyone in Jenkintown who wants to play football in the future gets assigned to a neighboring school if the program doesn't return.

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.

The PIAA needs to consider establishing an 8-man football team league for smaller school districts, one commenter stated.

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.

While some joked about coming out of retirement to play for the team, others wondered whether what happened in other school districts made an impact.

"Maybe parents have concerns about what’s been going on in other districts involving football teams," one person posted. "Hearing about the things going on could definitely inspire parents to have their kids not join."

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

School officials said the small roster size might spark safety issues for the remaining players. Another commenter agreed with that assessment.

"As someone who played football and rugby, I understand if people don't want to take shots to the head for nothing.You prepare to send a group of kids to college and trades where they will finally learn what they want to learn, but you risk their brains in the name of school spirit. I'm not condemning it because these sports are good for character, but if my son was doing very well in academia I wouldn't want him playing football. I got a minor concussion playing football and had no idea. My pupils were dilated and I couldn't stand straight, and I was told to take a break," the commenter stated.