Penn Wood reinstates several fall sports teams after district suspension
Cheer, soccer, cross country and volleyball are among the Penn Wood teams being reinstated while an investigation of misconduct allegations continues.
William Penn School District said on October 19 that it would reinstate several fall sports teams at Penn Wood High School in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, after reviewing feedback from student-athletes. The decision allows affected teams to resume their seasons while the district investigates allegations of misconduct.
The district named cheer, boys soccer, boys and girls cross country, volleyball and girls tennis. It said the girls tennis season was already over. Its athletic director is working with coaches and teams to complete the remainder of the fall season; the district did not give a return date for individual teams.
How the suspension affected Penn Wood teams
The announcement followed last week’s suspension of middle and high school athletics as the district investigated an alleged incident. FOX 29 reported that two sources linked the investigation to allegations of hazing involving the football team. The district has not publicly specified the alleged conduct or announced investigative findings.
FOX 29 reported that Penn Wood forfeited a scheduled football game against Chichester. It also said the boys soccer team, which had a 9-1 record, missed playoff competition during the suspension. The suspension affected teams beyond the football program, prompting frustration among students and families, according to the outlet.
Hundreds of students walked out on October 16 to protest the suspension, FOX 29 reported. Their protest came before the district’s announcement that some fall high school teams would be reinstated.
Student surveys and the continuing investigation
The district said it administered a climate and culture survey to fall high school student-athletes over the weekend and on October 19, and that a survey of fall sports coaches was underway. Before coaching again, each coach will be asked to review district policies and provide proof of engagement with that process.
William Penn School District said it had partnered with Grand River Solutions to coordinate a response under district policy and investigate specific allegations of misconduct. Separately, the district is reviewing athletic operations and using feedback from students and coaches to identify improvements. It said it was strengthening supervision and procedures for student-athletes to raise concerns. The district has given no timetable for completing the investigation or restoring all athletics.
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Sources and context
- Some fall sports reinstated at Penn Wood High School6abc (WPVI), carried by Yahoo Sports
- Penn Wood High School reinstates several fall sports after athletic investigationFOX 29 Philadelphia
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.