By Jess McClelland
Student Life Editor
Throughout the years, football hazing, the subjection to harassment or ridicule has become an issue. Some schools have reported that Senior Varsity players would make the Freshman Junior Varsity players run around in their underwear or do 50 more push-ups at practice, but the players at Central Bucks West High School took it further than that.
The CB Schools’ superintendent, David Weitzel, canceled the remainder of the Junior Varsity and Varsity football games after reports of hazing, including the Varsity homecoming game against their rivals, Central Bucks East. Both of the teams’ coaches have also been suspended until further notice.
The incident occurred on Aug. 16 at a picnic after a scrimmage against Abington High School. Players left the picnic to go into the locker rooms, where the hazing took place. Kids were forced to walk through showers so talcum powder would stick as it was thrown at them; they were also given new and involuntary haircuts. The players returned to the picnic looking unaffected.
The reports began two months later. A student was reportedly punched in the face for refusing to receive a haircut. The older players began a game inspired by Comedy Central’s, Tosh.0. A new student was forced to touch another player inappropriately, while he was fully clothed, and in front of the other players. That’s when the superintendent decided to suspend the football program until there were further investigations.
“It was messed up. No one should have to go through that “Our team would have actually stopped it. None of our seniors are like that,” said Matt Roccia, who plays on Junior Varsity as offensive tackle.
The homecoming game suspension impacted everyone in the CB community. Some of the students felt that the punishment was too harsh; others figured it wasn’t harsh enough. “It’s a big tradition, this game. It definitely sends a message to the players,” Central Bucks Junior Ben Harris told Times Colonist.
The players who were involved have not been named, nor have the results of any investigation been released. The entire coaching staff is required to take coaching education in July of 2016. “Hazing or anything else– demeaning others–is unacceptable,” said Assistant Varsity coach, David Ferrara. “Hazing in general is wrong and has to be prevented.
