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C.B. West football season canceled after hazing is alleged

A ritual players called 'waterboarding' was among the incidents cited as reasons for the school district's action.

DOYLESTOWN - The streets of Doylestown were abuzz last night after news spread of the Central Bucks School District's decision to cancel the rest of the CB West High School football season amid allegations of hazing by its players.

Television news vans patrolled the streets as passersby wondered aloud what had happened.

Earlier yesterday, a letter from Superintendent Dr. David P. Weitzel, addressed to the school district's community, described alleged hazing, which he said included requiring "a rookie to grab another player's private parts while fully clothed."

Central Bucks Regional Police Chief James Donnelly said police investigated the allegations, which also involved seniors allegedly placing towels over the heads of younger players who were subsequently led into the showers. Donnelly said he was told by a school official that the players referred to the practice as "waterboarding."

As a result of the allegations, the varsity and junior varsity football seasons were canceled with two games remaining, including tonight's homecoming contest against rival CB East.

Donnelly initially said police determined no crimes were committed, but that investigators would re-examine the allegations.

"I believe in light of the [Sayreville] New Jersey thing that the school district is probably doing the right thing with canceling the football season and investigating it." Donnelly said.

Sayreville War Memorial High in Parlin, N.J., recently canceled its season and suspended its coaching staff over alleged hazing incidents in which seven students have been arrested.

"As a Central Bucks East alumnus, it's just disappointing to hear that students aren't being responsible and ruining the fun for everybody else," said Alexa Michaels, who graduated in 2013. "I know it wasn't everyone, but it just stinks that it's ruined for everybody."

In the letter, Weitzel said the allegations were first reported the evening of Oct. 14, which sparked an inquiry that involved interviews, conducted over several days, with all team members and the entire coaching staff.

Head coach Brian Hensel along with all other varsity and JV football coaches were suspended pending further investigation, citing the staff's failure to effectively supervise team activities.

"I didn't expect anything like that to happen around here," said a male senior CB West student, who plays a varsity sport (not football) and requested his name not be revealed. "You never expect anything like this to happen around here. Everyone is pretty shocked and disappointed by what happened.

"We've been waiting for our senior year rivalry game and it's all over just like that."

CB West's once-dominant football program won four state titles in the 1990s. Prominent alums include Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine Jr. and two of his assistants. Pettine's father, Mike, established the program's dominance with a 327-42-4 record from 1967-1999. However, the team was 2-6 overall this season heading into tonight's game.

"I was planning to go," said CB West senior Kara Gaebel, "but only because it was the rivalry game. I feel bad for [everyone] because it was like our last rivalry game. It just affected all of us instead of that group of people."

Weitzel said in the letter that the majority of players were in violation by either participating in the "offensive and disrespectful actions," or witnessing the activities and failing to report them, both violations of the "code of conduct."

"I offer my sincere apologies to any member of the football program who was subjected to the demeaning actions of fellow players who should have served as role models," Weitzel wrote. "As a parent, you need to know the reasons for this season suspension and why it is happening now in the closing weeks of the schedule."

Daily News staff writer Solomon Leach contributed to this story.