Local
Penn Wood brings back five fall teams as football remains on hold
The William Penn School District will resume cheer, boys’ soccer, cross-country and volleyball after reviewing student-athlete survey feedback. Football remains suspended while an outside firm investigates alleged misconduct; girls’ tennis is being reinstated, though its season has ended.
Penn Wood High School will resume five fall sports teams after the William Penn School District suspended athletics last week in response to an alleged incident involving what the district called the “culture and climate” of its athletic programs.
The district said Monday, Oct. 19, that cheer, boys’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ cross-country, volleyball and girls’ tennis would be reinstated. The decision followed a review of student-athlete survey feedback, according to the district. The girls’ tennis season is already over.
The district’s athletic director is working with coaches and teams to complete the remaining fall season, the district said. It did not say whether or when football might return. The Monday announcement did not address middle school sports, which the district had also suspended.
William Penn announced the initial suspension Thursday, saying it had received information about an alleged incident that raised concerns about athletics culture and climate. The district has not publicly described the incident or identified which team or teams may have been involved. Penn Wood students walked out Friday to protest the suspensions.
The district said it has hired Grand River Solutions, a California-based firm, to coordinate a response under district policy and investigate specific allegations of misconduct. The company says it investigates allegations including harassment, discrimination, bullying and sexual violence. William Penn also said it is reviewing athletic operations and gathering feedback from students and coaches to identify improvements.
The district initially described the sports suspensions as a measure intended to protect students, not a permanent decision. The investigation and review will help determine what happens next for football and the athletic program more broadly.