Central Bucks West football season canceled due to hazing allegations

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- The Central Bucks School District announced Thursday the cancellation of the remainder of the Varsity and Junior Varsity football seasons at Central Bucks High School West.

The school district also said that all members of the football team coaching staff have been suspended.

Head coach Brian Hensel had nothing to say after he and the entire varsity and junior varsity coaching staff were suspended effective immediately.

This in the wake of a hazing scandal that forced the school district to cancel the last two games of the season - Friday's game against rivals Central Bucks East and the final game on October 31st.

"For me, it was my first East/West game so I've never been so now I don't get to experience that like other kids get to," said Sophie Shapiro, freshman.

"It's not fair that all of the other hundreds of students have to suffer because of four five kids," student Jonathan Ference said.

A school district investigation concluded that some freshman members of the team were forced to perform humiliating acts.

In a letter to parents., the district says one student was forced to grab a player's private parts while fully clothed.

Superintendent David Wetzel also chastised the coaching staff for allow team activities to spiral out of control during a pre-season gathering.

Parents, who have students in the district, are wondering what the coaches were thinking?

"I don't know what they were thinking, I mean why would you have the weight room or any other additional facilities open when you're also supposed to be outside enjoying the picnic," said Nicole Boyer, parent.

Boyer's son is a senior player on the team, she says he was not part of the hazing.

"He was never a part of it, for that whole thing but, you know, it's heartbreaking," said Boyer.

"It's pretty sad because the rest of our season just got cancelled, the rest of it. Also I'm part of the marching band and I'm a senior this year so my last two football games were just like taken. It kinda stinks," said Noah Brous, senior.

Action News spoke with other CB West students after class Friday, some of whom say the facts of the story are being distorted.

"It's a lot over-exaggerated. Not everything that was said was done was done. It was brought up to be something that it's not," senior Max Conway said.

But many others say it's never OK to purposely, publicly, humiliate anyone.

"I think the action they took was necessary because it was very serious. I'm glad they ended up doing that, that way, hopefully it will stop," student Todd Divine said.

"For me, the biggest game of the year, to find out it's canceled is definitely disappointing. I'm just a little angry at the people who decide to do that kind of stuff. Some people are just immature," sophomore Caleb Will said.

"I recognize that this news will be disappointing, and possibly upsetting, to many. However, based on all available, verified information gathered from an ongoing internal investigation into allegations of improper conduct by numerous Central Bucks West football team members, and the failure of the coaching staff to properly supervise activities, I believe this swift and firm action is absolutely necessary," said Supt. Wetzel, in a letter to parents.

Meanwhile, as of right now, there is no word when the coaching staff will return.