News Summary
Ursuline High School has canceled its upcoming football game following serious allegations of hazing and sexual assault detailed in a federal lawsuit. The decision was confirmed through the school’s social media and follows an investigation into claims involving a freshman player. The lawsuit outlines a troubling culture of misconduct within the football program, leading to disciplinary actions and increased scrutiny from local authorities and the community. The ongoing investigation aims to ensure the safety of student athletes and address the issues raised.
Youngstown, Ohio — Ursuline High School has announced the cancellation of its football game against Farrell scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025, amid serious allegations of hazing and sexual assault detailed in a recent federal lawsuit. The cancellation was confirmed through a post on social media directed at the Farrell Area School District. The decision comes after communication between the head coaches of both teams, following a determination made by the Ursuline Board of Directors.
Earlier in the week, a 200-page federal civil rights lawsuit was filed against Ursuline High School, its coaching staff, and affiliated parties. The lawsuit alleges that a freshman football player was subjected to hazing and sexual assault by teammates during a team camp held in June. The reported incidents included both physical and sexual violence, with some actions allegedly recorded and shared via the team’s Snapchat group chat.
According to the lawsuit, coaching staff reportedly dismissed the incidents as “just boys being boys” and failed to conduct an adequate investigation into the reported allegations. As a result of the lawsuit, additional alleged victims or witnesses have come forward, indicating that there may be further implications for the school and its football program.
Ursuline High School has stated that it initiated an investigation once a formal report was made by the family of the alleged victim. The school has also notified the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and the Youngstown Police Department about the serious allegations. Disciplinary actions have reportedly been implemented against some students deemed “most directly involved,” although specific details regarding these actions have not been disclosed. It has been noted that some students associated with the football program have left before any disciplinary actions could be enforced.
The ongoing investigation by the Youngstown Police Department is expected to determine additional administrative actions, which will be communicated to the public once the investigation concludes. The federal lawsuit accuses Ursuline High School of fostering a culture of hazing that has persisted over several years, creating an environment where such misconduct could occur.
The lawsuit alleges that the victim was assaulted multiple times during a nine-day football camp conducted from June 12-20, 2025. Specific accusations include players luring the victim into private rooms, subjecting him to physical assaults, and filming these acts. A culture of intimidation surrounding these incidents may have further contributed to preventing the student from seeking help, which included threats directed at the victim’s sister from other players involved.
This civil suit is directed not only at Ursuline High School but also features 11 unnamed football players, Head Coach Dan Reardon, two assistant coaches, and the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. The lead counsel for the plaintiffs has called for accountability in this matter, emphasizing the school’s failure to protect its students adequately.
While Dan Reardon has been implicated in the lawsuit for allegedly turning a blind eye to previous misconducts involving players, thereby creating a toxic environment, the Diocese has stated that it conducted a timely investigation and cooperated with all authorities, denying any intent to cover up the incidents in question.
The severity of these allegations and the ensuing media attention highlight the widespread concern regarding the safety of student athletes and the responsibilities of educational institutions to maintain a safe and supportive environment. The ongoing investigation by the Youngstown Police Department will likely prompt further inquiries into the established allegations as well as those that may arise in the future.
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 CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
