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This week’s Ringgold High School football game is postponed, the school district says, citing “alleged incidents of misconduct” involving team members.
The Rams had been scheduled to play Thomas Jefferson at home on Friday night.
According to a statement posted on its website, the Ringgold School District was made aware of the incidents on Thursday.
“Given the serious nature of the alleged incidents that involve members of the football team, the District has made the difficult decision to postpone the football game on October 11, 2024. We are continuing to gather information and will take all the appropriate steps to address these allegations. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we address this matter,” the statement by Superintendent Randall Skrinjorvich said.
As students protested and chanted, “Keep our coaches,” Thursday night, several players’ parents described the alleged misconduct to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 as “horseplay.”
“It’s horseplay. It’s boys being boys. Yes, maybe as adults, we think it’s disgusting, but that’s just boys being boys. … It wasn’t hazing. It was good fun,” Nicole Collazo said.
Parents said a video of the alleged lewd behavior was shared via Snapchat.
“The problem is that they posted it on their team Snap. They didn’t put it on a main public place. They put it on their team’s Snap, and somebody got ahold of it and reported it and this is where we are,” parent Daria Homa said.
Parents said their fear is coaches could lose their jobs or the season could be terminated.
“They have three games left. They definitely canceled tomorrow’s, but next weekend’s our homecoming and the next game after that is senior. You’re not just affecting the football players. Remember, we have cheerleaders and we have band members,” Homa said.
The superintendent addressed parents after the meeting.
“No official action here tonight at all, and the coaches are their coaches,” Skrinjorich said.
Skrinjorich declined to share any additional details about the alleged misconduct. He said he hopes to have more information for parents on Monday.
“The statement is the statement that’s out there,” Skrinjorich said.
WPIAL chief operating officer Vince Sortino said the Ringgold School District contacted him about the postponement.
“I told them a postponement is allowed for the situation they are dealing with. For right now, it is postponed rather than a forfeit. In the next three weeks, if the game can be made up, that will happen. If it is not made up, we will deal with that at the end of the season,” Sortino said.
This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates.
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