Prominent high school football team suspends players over hazing, Texas reports say

Nearly two dozen players from a high school football team in Texas have been suspended days before the season opener due to hazing allegations, according to reports in Texas.

Officials with Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio commented on the alleged “misconduct” in a statement to McClatchy News but did not confirm the disciplinary action against the student-athletes.

A school district spokesperson said the incident occurred off campus property and was not during school hours. The school learned about the alleged hazing from an anonymous tip “regarding safety concerns,” the spokesperson said.

Twenty-one of the football players were suspended as a result of the incident, KENS 5 and San Antonio sports radio host Mike Taylor said.

The players were suspended for two games, according to KSAT. One of the victims in the alleged hazing was hospitalized, the station reported.

“District administrators and coaches had no knowledge of any allegations prior to receiving the reports,” said Julie Ann Matonis, director of communications for the school district. “The district immediately investigated the matter thoroughly and took appropriate action. Because of student confidentiality laws, the district is prohibited from sharing any additional information.”

Alamo Heights won its first 13 games of the 2021 season before falling in the Class 5A, Division II Region IV championship to Liberty Hill. They are scheduled to begin the 2022 season Friday, Aug. 26, against Seguin High School.

Alamo Heights athletic director and head football coach Ron Rittimann said in a statement to McClatchy News the coaching staff has a responsibility for its players that extends past the field.

“We celebrate their successes when it’s appropriate to do so, but we also must help them learn from their poor choices,” Rittimann said. “We will move forward as a team and continue the important job in developing the character of these young men.”

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