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Penn Wood brings five fall teams back as misconduct inquiry continues
William Penn School District will restore cheer, boys’ soccer, cross country, volleyball and girls’ tennis at Penn Wood High School after surveying fall athletes. The district had suspended all athletic programs while an outside firm investigates alleged misconduct, which students and families said involved hazing.
The William Penn School District will reinstate five fall sports teams at Penn Wood High School while an investigation into alleged misconduct continues, officials said Monday, Oct. 19.
The teams returning are cheer, boys’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ cross country, volleyball and girls’ tennis. The girls’ tennis season has already ended, according to the district.
The district suspended all Penn Wood sports programs on Oct. 15, saying the inquiry concerned an incident that “implicates culture and climate in athletics.” Officials have not publicly detailed the incident. Parents, students and a staff member told NBC10 it involved alleged hazing by a sports team.
The district hired Grand River Solutions to investigate the allegations and said it will also review athletic operations, using feedback from students and coaches to identify areas for improvement. The district surveyed fall athletes over the weekend and Monday before announcing the partial reinstatement.
Students walked out of class on Friday, Oct. 16, to protest the suspension. They said those allegedly involved should be held accountable and potential victims supported, but argued that pausing every team penalized athletes who had no connection to the alleged misconduct.
A survey of fall coaches is also underway. Coaches will be asked to review district policies and show they have taken part in that process, officials said.