News Summary
Ursuline High School has canceled its upcoming football game against Farrell due to serious allegations from a federal civil rights lawsuit. The lawsuit details a culture of hazing and sexual assault within the football program, prompting an investigation by the school and the Youngstown Police Department. Allegations include physical assaults and recorded misconduct, with claims of inadequate responses from coaching staff. The situation has sparked calls for accountability from the school’s administration and the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.
Youngstown, Ohio – Ursuline High School has announced the cancellation of its upcoming football game against Farrell, originally scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025. This decision comes in the wake of serious allegations detailed in a recent federal civil rights lawsuit against the school and multiple affiliates.
The announcement was made via social media and relayed to the Farrell Area School District by Ursuline Head Coach Dan Reardon. The cancellation follows a 200-page lawsuit filed earlier in the week, which accuses the school of creating a culture of hazing among its football team, where a freshman player allegedly faced both hazing and sexual assault by teammates during a football camp in June.
The reported incidents allegedly took place over nine days at a training camp from June 12 to June 20, 2025. These actions included physical assaults and sexual assaults, some of which were reportedly recorded and shared within a team Snapchat group chat. It has been claimed that coaching staff dismissed these actions as “just boys being boys” and that there was a failure to investigate or take adequate measures to address the allegations.
Since the lawsuit’s filing, additional alleged victims and witnesses have come forward, prompting increased scrutiny of the school’s practices. Ursuline High School stated that an investigation was initiated once a formal report was made by the family of the alleged victim. They have since informed both the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and the Youngstown Police Department regarding the claims made in the lawsuit.
The school reported that some disciplinary actions have been taken against certain students regarded as “most directly involved” in the incidents; however, specific details regarding these measures have not been disclosed. It has also been noted that some implicated students exited the football program before disciplinary actions could be enforced.
Further administrative actions are anticipated once the Youngstown Police Department concludes its investigation into the allegations outlined in the civil lawsuit. The lawsuit targets Ursuline High School, 11 unnamed football players, Head Coach Dan Reardon, two assistant coaches, and the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.
Allegations suggest that there has been a long-standing culture of hazing that has enabled misconduct to continue. Among the details provided in the lawsuit, some players are alleged to have lured the victim into private areas, subjected him to physical assaults, and recorded these acts without consent. The complaint further outlines a culture of intimidation, where the alleged victim’s sister reportedly faced threats as a result of these incidents.
Ursuline High School’s administration and the Diocese of Youngstown are facing increased calls for accountability, with the lead counsel for the plaintiffs emphasizing the need for a clearer response from the school regarding their protective responsibilities towards students. Allegations against Coach Reardon hint that he has a history of ignoring misconduct, purportedly contributing to a toxic atmosphere within the football program.
The Catholic Diocese has stated that they conducted a timely investigation and have been cooperative with authorities throughout this process. At the same time, they have denied any allegations of attempting to cover up these incidents.
This situation has garnered considerable media attention, highlighting concerns about misinformation being spread on social platforms as the investigation progresses. The Youngstown Police Department remains actively engaged in investigating the claims made in the lawsuit to determine the appropriate course of action.
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 INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion 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 Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
