News Summary
Ursuline High School has canceled an upcoming football game against Farrell following serious allegations of hazing and assault contained in a federal lawsuit. The lawsuit details incidents involving a freshman player who was reportedly subjected to physical and sexual assaults during a team camp. The school has initiated an investigation and taken disciplinary actions against some involved students, while community concerns over safety and accountability continue to grow.
Ursuline, Ohio, Cancels Upcoming Football Game Amid Allegations of Hazing and Assault
Ursuline High School has announced the cancellation of its scheduled football game against Farrell, set for Friday, September 5, 2025. The decision was communicated via social media to the Farrell Area School District.
Game Cancellation Follows Federal Lawsuit and Investigations
The cancellation comes shortly after a 200-page federal civil rights lawsuit was filed against Ursuline High School and several associated parties. The lawsuit, filed earlier this week, alleges that a freshman football player was subjected to hazing and sexual assault by team members during a team camp held in June.
The lawsuit claims that the incidents involved both physical and sexual assaults, with some acts reportedly recorded and shared within a team Snapchat group chat. According to the suit, the school’s coaching staff dismissed these events as “just boys being boys,” neglecting to investigate or respond adequately to the allegations.
Details of the Alleged Incidents
As described in the lawsuit, the victim was reportedly attacked multiple times over a nine-day football camp from June 12 to June 20, 2025. Specific allegations include players luring the victim into private rooms, physically assaulting him, and filming the assaults. The suit also details a culture of intimidation and silence, with threats directed at the victim’s sister by other players.
Following the lawsuit’s filing, additional potential victims or witnesses have come forward. The school emphasized that an investigation was initiated once the victim’s family made a formal report. Further, Ursuline High School stated they notified both the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and the Youngstown Police Department regarding the allegations.
Disciplinary and Administrative Actions
According to the school, disciplinary steps have been taken against some students directly involved; however, specifics regarding these actions have not been disclosed. Some of these students had left the football program prior to disciplinary procedures being implemented. The school has promised to communicate further administrative measures once the Youngstown Police Department’s investigation reaches completion.
Legal Action and Broader Concerns
The federal lawsuit names Ursuline High School, 11 unnamed football players, Head Coach Dan Reardon, two assistant coaches, and the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown as defendants. It alleges that a long-standing culture of hazing has persisted within the school’s athletic programs.
The complaint details numerous allegations of misconduct, including players luring the victim into private rooms, physically assaulting him, and recording these acts. It also describes a broader environment of intimidation, silence, and fear, with the victim’s sister reportedly facing threats from other team members.
Responses from Authorities and Diocese
The Diocese of Youngstown indicated that they conducted a timely investigation and have cooperated with law enforcement agencies. The Diocese denied any attempt to cover up the allegations and maintained that actions taken were appropriate. Meanwhile, the Youngstown Police Department is actively conducting its investigation into the claims outlined in the lawsuit.
Community and Media Attention
The incident has attracted significant attention, with concerns over misinformation spreading on social media platforms. Both the school’s administrative actions and the ongoing police investigation are central to discussions within the local community.
In summary, Ursuline High School has responded to serious allegations of hazing and assault by canceling a football game, opening investigations, and cooperating with law enforcement. The case highlights ongoing issues related to school safety, athlete conduct, and institutional accountability in the area.
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Additional Resources
- WKYC: Ursuline High School Lawsuit
- WFMJ: Ursuline Football Game Canceled
- WKBN: Ursuline Family Files Lawsuit
- Beacon Journal: Ohio High School Football Hazing Lawsuit
- WFMJ: National Hazing Attorney Weighs In
- Wikipedia: Hazing
- Google Search: Ursuline High School football hazing
- Google Scholar: Hazing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hazing
- Google News: Ursuline High School hazing lawsuit
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