The 2026 football season for Cheltenham High School remains uncertain after an investigation confirmed a ‘student-on-student’ assault in the football locker room.
In a letter to the Cheltenham community, superintendent Dr. Brian Scriven said the district’s external hazing investigation has been completed.
“It confirmed the previously reported student-on-student assault did, in fact, take place in the football locker room on September 3, 2025, and that approximately 19 students who witnessed the assault made no attempt to stop the event, and several participated freely in it. Several students also filmed the assault,” according to Dr. Scriven.
Scriven said in addition, the external investigation revealed the following:
• Insufficient student supervision in the locker room by the coaching staff
• Failure to prioritize student safety by the coaching staff and/or adult volunteers
• Failure of the coaching staff to speak to the students about anti-bullying
• General lack of credibility on the part of many of those interviewed during the investigatory process
• Toxic and negative culture within the current football program.
The investigation did not, however, fully substantiate a pattern of hazing, Scriven said. Parents were alerted in October that the remainder of the 2025 season would be cancelled as the district investigated the hazing allegations.
At a November meeting, several parents voiced their concerns and demanded answers about the investigation and the decision to cancel the remainder of the season.
Lena Edwards’ son graduated from Cheltenham High School last year, though she and her husband are still involved in the district. Edwards said the investigation has shaken the community.
“My heart still goes out to the child and his parents,” Edwards said Friday. “It affects everyone. So, it’s an unfortunate situation and we just pray in and trust in the process of things taking place. But for the 12th grade class this year, I just felt bad for them being affected by it.”
According to the most recent letter to the community, Scriven noted the investigation pointed to a number of recommendations in terms of overhauling the football program before it resumes in the future.
Some of the initial steps Scriven said the district will take will include identifying and hiring new, highly qualified coaching staff who demonstrate “a strong commitment to leading student-athletes in a positive and responsible manner.”
The district was also recommended to formalize and strengthen student supervision and incident-reporting protocol, and obtaining or creating training materials for students and staff to communicate and exhibit standards of conduct for student-athletes.
“Having a 2026 season is largely contingent on identifying, hiring, and onboarding the right coaching staff, and on the cooperation of parents/guardians, students, and staff in doing their part to address the recommendations that will strengthen our program. Those students who were not involved in this situation are especially important to rebuilding the culture of our program. If all of these conditions are met, the district will stand up a football team for the 2026 season,” Scriven said.
While the external hazing investigation has been completed, there are still several student-specific Title IX and disciplinary matters that are in progress.
“The outcome of these student-specific matters could impact the eligibility of certain individual students to play football in the upcoming season and lead to additional individual disciplinary consequences,” Scriven said.
The Cheltenham Township Police Department and Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office are also still investigating the matter.
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