A California high school has abruptly shut down its entire football program for the rest of the season after allegations of misconduct involving varsity players sparked a police investigation and led to a student being cited for battery.
Fred C. Beyer High School in Modesto canceled all remaining games and practices for its varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams after administrators learned of cellphone footage allegedly showing misconduct within the football program, according to the Sacramento Bee.
The school’s head football coach, Mike Young, was also placed on administrative leave late last week, although officials have not disclosed why he was removed from his duties.
Modesto police launched an investigation after school administrators reported the allegations to authorities. Investigators reviewed video evidence and ultimately cited one player for misdemeanor battery.
“We are deeply troubled by allegations involving members of the Fred C. Beyer High School football program,” Modesto City Schools said in a statement Friday. “These allegations are extremely serious and have no place in our schools or athletic programs.”
The district has released few details about what allegedly happened, how many players may have been involved or whether additional students were harmed.
It also remains unclear whether Young was placed on leave because of accusations involving his own conduct, concerns about his supervision of the team or other circumstances.
School officials said they were conducting their own investigation to determine whether other students were involved and what disciplinary measures should follow.
The district has also made counseling and other support services available to student-athletes and emphasized that students and employees receive annual harassment-prevention training.
Anyone with information about the allegations has been urged to contact school administrators, the district or Modesto police.
The controversy comes after a series of troubling incidents at Beyer High School in recent weeks, including multiple student fights and a threatening social media post.
On Oct. 16, five fights erupted on campus, forcing administrators to place the school on lockdown as employees and police intervened, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Four of the altercations broke out simultaneously during lunch, while a fifth occurred later that day, district officials said.
Three students were transported to a hospital for medical evaluation, although authorities said they found no indication that weapons were involved.
In response, school officials increased security the following Monday and provided additional protection during a school dance that weekend.
The campus faced another scare after a Riverbank High School student allegedly posted a threat targeting Beyer on social media.
Modesto police cited the student but said investigators found nothing suggesting there was a genuine plan to carry out an attack.
“We do not believe that the Oct. 29 incident is connected in any way to the fights that took place earlier in the month,” Modesto Police Department spokesperson Herman Sahota told the Sacramento Bee.
Authorities have also not identified any connection between the threatening post and the allegations surrounding the football team.
The cancellation brings an early end to another disappointing season for Beyer’s Patriots, who had already been struggling on the field.
The varsity squad had recorded just one victory in nine games and lost all six of its league matchups before the district canceled the remainder of the season, according to MaxPreps.
The team has endured years of poor results, finishing without a single win in 2018, 2021 and 2022.
While the football season is over, the fallout from the allegations may not be.
The student cited for misdemeanor battery could still face further consequences pending a review by probation officials and prosecutors.
Sahota told the Sacramento Bee on Monday that police had not cited any additional students and had received no new witnesses or evidence.
He also confirmed that Young had neither been arrested nor cited in connection with the investigation.
Police could reopen their investigation if new information comes to light, according to The Bee.
Meanwhile, the district has not publicly confirmed whether its internal investigation is complete, what disciplinary action students may face or whether Young will return to the sidelines next season.
