A five-time championship high school football team has abruptly canceled its season following “ongoing review of a recent report regarding team activities.”
According to USA Today, Hollister High School’s varsity football program has been shut down by the San Benito (Calif.) High School District. Hollister forfeited its game last week as well despite starting the season with a winning record. The district claims there is not a sufficient number of student-athletes to safely field a team.
Despite statements from the district, parents told The NY Post that there are more than 60 student-athletes on the varsity team, seeding doubt that roster concerns are to blame for the cancellation.
Along with roster concerns, Hollister’s head coach, Thomas Sullivan, was placed on administrative leave while the district “investigated an unspecified matter related to the football program.” The district did not provide further details on the review or coaching change.
“The district has carefully considered the circumstances and the interests of all our students,” superintendent Shawn Tennenbaum said in a letter to the school community.
The San Benito High School District held a meeting for parents on Tuesday night to discuss the canceled season and district policies, but no further statements have been made.
Hollister High School’s junior varsity and freshman teams will continue to compete this season.
