Conestoga Football Coaching Staff Resigns Amid Hazing Controversy

TREDYFFRIN, PA -- The head Conestoga High School football coach has resigned and the entire varsity and junior varsity staff has been relieved of duty, the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District announced in the wake of their investigation into the hazing incidents which came to light earlier in March.

While the school district affirmed that no adults had any knowledge of the horrifying incidents that had occurred in October, they also echoed the Chester County District Attorney's Office in describing the "troubling" lack of adult supervision.

"(This) created an environment where hazing activities could occur," Superintendent Richard Gusick wrote in a letter to Tredyfrin/Easttown families on Thursday.

In addition to the alleged hazing which caused charges to filed against three students, the district said that they found hazing had occurred regularly for the last several years, including "back slapping, horseplay, and obscene behaviors targeted toward underclassmen."

The most severe incident, however, occurred on October 15, 2015.

Three students, all 17-years-old, allegedly held down a younger and physically smaller teammate who refused to clean the locker room in his underwear, according to the District Attorney's Office.

One of the three then prodded a broomstick underneath the boy's underwear and penetrated his anus, the DA said.

All three have been charged with assault, among other counts.

The incident was first reported in mid-Februrary, and the victim, 14, has left Conestoga High School, the DA said.

An investigation was underway for more than a month before charges were formally announced.

The hazing was a part of what the team called "No Gay Thursday," on which homosexual hazing acts would be permitted once a week, the DA said.

Tredyffring-Easttown had strong words for the homosexual references in their letter:

“No Gay Thursday” is ignorant, intolerant, and has no place in any school. Even though no gay students were specific targets of discrimination, the practice itself is an affront to us all. We are committed to eliminating these activities and providing a positive, respectful environment that is safe for all students. Disciplinary action has been administered to students as appropriate, and consequences were applied per the school’s disciplinary code of conduct. All students affected by these activities have been offered support from the school.

The district said that they had interviewed all of the students that had been identified by local law enforcement as part of their investigation.

They are also recommending the creation of a full time Athletic Director for the middle school and high school.

A public meeting will be hosted by the School Board and administration on Monday, March 28, at 6 p.m., at the Conestoga High School auditorium. Parents and residents are invited to attend and express their concerns.

Tredyffrin-Easttown was named the best school district in America for 2016 in a ranking by Niche.com in January.