Swampscott High School Football Forfeits One Game After Investigation

SWAMPSCOTT (CBS) - Swampscott High School says it will forfeit Saturday night's football game against Saugus after an investigation into a possible hazing incident.

Superintendent Pamela Angelakis says five sophomores on the team undressed in front of teammates and performed exercises and athletic drills while other teammates stood around shouting at them.

The gathering has been called the "Sophomore 50" in reference to the gathering at the 50-yard line. The incident took place at Blocksidge Field last Friday night.

As part of the investigation, team captains, the five alleged "victims" of the incident, and other members of the football team were interviewed. "None of the students who were interviewed reported that they felt harassed, belittled, endangered or in any other way upset by the incident," Angelakis said.

The superintendent says the activity was inappropriate under the Swampscott Public Schools Code of Conduct and does not care that it was a tradition.

There may be more punishments for students but that will be kept private.

Anti-hazing education will be a requirement for all Swampscott High School student athletes going forward.