Add The California Post on Google A California high school has cancelled its undefeated football team’s season under mysterious circumstances as the head coach remains on paid administrative leave.
Hollister High School, in the Central Coast region, suspended its 3-0 season for unknown reasons on Monday.
The school did not give a specific explanation, citing student privacy.
School officials said the school is “currently reviewing a matter involving members of the varsity football program.
“At this time, the number of available student-athletes is not sufficient to safely field a team for the remainder of the scheduled games.”
Hollister forfeited its fourth game of the season against Alisal on Sept. 17 as part of “an ongoing review of a recent report regarding team activities,” that started on Sept. 10.
Parents told The Post there are more than 60 players on the team, making an incident involving a handful of suspended players stopping the season unlikely.
Head football coach Thomas Sullivan was placed on paid administrative leave in conjunction with the start of the investigation.
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Hollister had rolled over its first three opponents before the season was suspended, capturing its last win 27-20 against Wilcox on Sept. 11.
A parent of a football player on Hollister High School’s team told The Post parents “are really upset” about the sudden suspension of the season. They said they were given no advance notice of the suspension.
The largest source of anger emanates from the thousands of dollars that parents have raised for the football team.
Parents said they believed they deserved an explanation for where the funds would go now that the season is done.
“Where is all the money gonna go they were funded for our kid?” the football parent told The Post. “I paid for my athlete and his team to have a good season,” they added.
The parent shared screenshots showing more than $78,000 had been raised for the football program in the past two years.
A meeting hosted by the San Benito High School District is scheduled for Tuesday night. Parents are expected to speak about the football program and the district’s decision, according to KSBW.
Parents don’t have high expectations that they’ll be granted transparency.
“Hoping they’ll give us some sort of explanation,” the parent said. “We want answers. I don’t think they’ll give us any.”
