Youngstown, Ohio, September 5, 2025
News Summary
Ursuline High School has canceled its football game against Farrell, following a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging hazing and sexual assault involving players. The lawsuit claims that a freshman was subjected to serious abuse during a team camp, and the school has initiated an investigation. Community concerns are rising as multiple allegations have emerged, highlighting systemic issues within the football program. The Youngstown Police are also conducting an investigation into the claims.
Youngstown, Ohio – Ursuline High School has made the decision to cancel its upcoming football game against Farrell, which was scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025. This announcement was communicated to the Farrell Area School District via a social media post following a notification from Ursuline Head Coach Dan Reardon to Farrell Head Coach Amp Pegues, after a formal decision by Ursuline’s Board of Directors.
The cancellation is linked to a recently filed 200-page federal civil rights lawsuit against Ursuline High School and several related parties. This lawsuit makes serious allegations, claiming that a freshman football player was subjected to hazing and sexual assault by teammates during a team camp that took place in June 2025. Reports state that the incidents included not only physical abuse but also sexual assault, with some acts purportedly filmed and shared among teammates through the team’s Snapchat group chat.
The lawsuit further alleges that coaching staff trivialized the behaviors, dismissing them as “just boys being boys,” and suggests that the school failed to conduct a sufficient investigation into the reported incidents. Following the lawsuit’s filing earlier this week, additional allegations have emerged as more victims or witnesses have come forward. In response to these claims, Ursuline High School has stated that they initiated an investigation once they received a formal report from the alleged victim’s family.
The school has informed both the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and the Youngstown Police Department about the serious allegations. While some unspecified disciplinary action has been enacted against students deemed “most directly involved,” the details remain confidential. It has been reported that several students involved had already departed the football program before any disciplinary measures could be applied. Further administrative actions from the school will be communicated once the Youngstown Police Department’s investigation concludes.
The federal lawsuit accuses not only Ursuline High School but also 11 unnamed football players, Head Coach Dan Reardon, two assistant coaches, and the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown of fostering a culture of hazing that has reportedly persisted for many years. Specifically, the complaint outlines incidents that occurred during a nine-day football camp from June 12-20, 2025, detailing the assault patterns wherein players lured the victim into private areas, physically assaulted him, and recorded these acts.
Concerns associated with the lawsuit also encompass an atmosphere of intimidation surrounding the alleged victim, including reports of threats directed at his sister from other players. The lead counsel for the plaintiffs has called for accountability, criticizing the school’s lack of efforts to protect its students against such behavior.
Allegations against Coach Dan Reardon accuse him of a longstanding pattern of overlooking misconduct among players, which is said to have contributed to a toxic team environment. Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese has stated that they performed a timely investigation and cooperated with law enforcement, denying any attempts at covering up the incidents.
The situation has garnered considerable media attention, with community members expressing concern over the spread of misinformation via social media platforms. Currently, the Youngstown Police Department is in the process of investigating the allegations outlined in the lawsuit.
The cancellation of the game has left many in the local community in shock, as they await further developments regarding the investigation and the safety measures that will be put in place to protect students moving forward.
FAQs
Why was the football game canceled?
The game was canceled following a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging hazing and sexual assault involving some football players at Ursuline High School.
What allegations are detailed in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit alleges that a freshman football player was physically and sexually assaulted by teammates during a camp in June 2025, with some incidents allegedly recorded on social media.
What has the school done in response to the allegations?
Ursuline High School has initiated an investigation, informed the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and the Youngstown Police Department about the allegations, and taken disciplinary actions against some students.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The Youngstown Police Department is currently investigating the allegations detailed in the lawsuit.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Hazing and sexual assault allegations |
| Camp Duration | June 12-20, 2025 |
| Legal Action | 200-page federal civil rights lawsuit filed |
| Coaching Staff Response | Dismissed incidents as “just boys being boys” |
| School Actions | Investigation initiated, notifications made to authorities, disciplinary actions taken |
| Current Investigation | Ongoing by the Youngstown Police Department |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
