EDUCATION

New Jersey high school cancels football season, cites allegations of bullying

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this Friday, Oct. 3, 2014 photograph, audience members react as members of the Sayreville Board of Education hold a news conference at the Selover School in South Amboy, N.J., to address a hazing incident that "went too far" and is at the center of the investigation into the Sayreville War Memorial High School football team. On Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, school superintendent Richard Labbe said the Sayreville War Memorial High School football season has been canceled amid allegations of harassment, intimidation and bullying among players. (AP Photo/ Home News Tribune, Mark R. Sullivan) On Friday October 3,,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Home News Tribune/AP (The Associated Press)

In this Friday, Oct. 3, 2014 photo, members of the Sayreville Board of Education, seated left, hold a press conference at the Selover School in South Amboy, N.J., to address a hazing incident that "went too far" and is at the center of the investigation into the Sayreville War Memorial High School football team. On Monday, Oct. 6, 2014 school superintendent Richard Labbe said the Sayreville War Memorial High School football season has been canceled amid allegations of harassment, intimidation and bullying among players. (AP Photo/ Home News Tribune, Mark R. Sullivan) On Friday October 3,,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Home News Tribune/AP (The Associated Press)

Sayreville War Memorial High School senior Kishan Patel, 17, walks past the entrance to the high school, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014, in Sayreville, N.J. Officials at a school, which has won three sectional titles over the past four years, canceled the football season amid allegations of harassment, intimidation and bullying among players. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

Officials have canceled the football season at a New Jersey high school amid allegations of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

Sayreville school officials made the announcement Monday night during a meeting with the parents of football players.

The Home News Tribune (http://mycj.co/1uUXpZy ) reports Superintendent Rich Labbe said everyone on the team has a responsibility to stand up and protect one another.

The announcement follows word of a criminal investigation by the county prosecutor, which Labbe said he could not discuss. Labbe says Prosecutor Andrew Carey told him there is credible evidence to indicate pervasive, wide-scale and generally accepted forms of harassment, intimidation and bullying within the program.

The district canceled and forfeited a game that was scheduled last Friday.

Sayreville's team has won three sectional titles over the past four years.

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Information from: Home News Tribune (East Brunswick, N.J.) , http://www.mycentraljersey.com