Times are not changing, they have already changed. Things that were acceptable in 1970s', '80's, and even '90's are not necessarily permissible now. Not only are kids being permanently impacted by hazing incidents, coaches' careers are being cut off for extracurricular activities in no way related to football.
Take action, be a leader, change the culture. If any coaches have any experience with turning around a hazing culture into something more positive, or have any good speakers on the subject to recommend, please get in touch with us (Mail@FootballScoop.com).
With that said...
On October 7 we had the story of New Jersey powerhouse Sayreville War Memorial High School canceling the remainder of its season after bullying and hazing accusations came to light, and now another Northeastern high school has done the same.
This time it's Philadelphia area school Central Bucks West, who Mike Pettine, Sr., built into a powerhouse and where current Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine spent his high school years. Central Bucks School District Superintendent David Weitzel made the call after an investigation of the football program found “failure of the coaching staff to properly supervise activities.” The varsity and junior varsity coaching staffs have been suspended. (War Memorial head coach George Najjar and four assistants were also suspended this week.)
“I offer my sincere apologies to any member of the football program who was subjected to the demeaning actions of fellow players who should have served as role models,” Weitzel wrote in a statement.
Junior and senior players are accused of blindfolding younger players and leading them into the shower, where Central Bucks regional police chief James Donnelly described the alleged activities as "waterboarding." The police department and district attorney's office worked in concert during the investigation, and criminal charges are not off the table, according to the Philadelphia Intelligencer.
"Once the facts of the case are known, we will proceed from there," said district attorney David Heckler said.
As hazing rituals have (allegedly) risen, the team has gotten worse. The same program that went 327-42-4 with four state championships under Pettine is just 2-6 this season. C.B. West had two games remaining this season prior to the cancellation, against crosstown rival Central Bucks East and the finale versus William Tennent.