El Cerrito High's football program, coach suspended after hazing allegations involving 22 teammates
EL CERRITO, Calif. -- El Cerrito High School's football program has been suspended until further notice after police announced Thursday that arrests are anticipated related to an investigation into bullying and hazing among members of the team.
El Cerrito police learned on Oct. 2 from a mandated reporter about the alleged actions by members of the football team against their own teammates.
The allegations involve battery, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, dissuading a victim, conspiracy, and stalking, with the malfeasance taking place over a period between September 2024 and last month, police said.
Detectives have identified 22 people suspected of involvement and facing possible arrest in the alleged bullying and hazing, and police are working with school administrators and the West Contra Costa Unified School District as part of the investigation.
Police said they were not releasing many other details about the case because it involves juvenile victims and suspects.
WCCUSD officials said the football program has been suspended and head coach Tim Johnson is on leave.
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"No child should ever experience what our students have described," WCCUSD Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said in a statement. "While we have worked to focus on accountability for the actions of individual players up until this point, new information has led to new decisions. We must now make the very tough call to immediately suspend the El Cerrito High football program in order to prevent any further harm and restore a safe learning environment for our students."
District officials said the school will be implementing anti-hazing and bystander education across classrooms and is providing resources for the students involved.
El Cerrito High's football team last year won the CIF State Division 4-A championship and had a 6-3 record so far this season.
