EL CERRITO, Calif. (KGO) — The El Cerrito High School football program has been suspended following a police investigation into allegations of hazing and bullying involving current and former players, school district officials said.
The decision came after El Cerrito police disclosed that 22 current and former football players are under investigation.
“Given what we now know about the scope of the law enforcement investigation, we must immediately suspend the program in order to make sure that there are no further harms to students,” said Liz Sanders, assistant superintendent of communications for the West Contra Costa Unified School District.
District officials said they first became aware of the allegations last month.
“October 2nd is when we learned of these allegations and immediately referred them to law enforcement,” Sanders said.
According to El Cerrito police, the alleged incidents occurred between September 2024 and October 2026.
“We’ve learned that approximately 22 subjects were involved in this hazing and bullying,” said Capt. Lauren Caputo of the El Cerrito Police Department. “And we’re investigating crimes of battery, sexual battery, stalking and other crimes.”
The El Cerrito High School football team won a state championship in 2025. Police said the alleged incidents occurred on school grounds and involved football players targeting their own teammates.
“Our detectives initiated an investigation. During this investigation, they conducted numerous interviews of school staff, witnesses and also victims. Through those interviews, they were able to obtain some video evidence which further corroborated some of the allegations by the victims,” said Caputo.
The school district also confirmed that the head football coach has been placed on leave.
“It is possible that a coach could face charges in this incident,” Caputo said.
Parents upset after football program suspended
Parents and players at El Cerrito High School said they were shocked and frustrated after the West Contra Costa Unified School District suspended the football program amid a hazing and bullying investigation.
Parents and players at El Cerrito High School said they were shocked and frustrated after the West Contra Costa Unified School District suspended the football program amid a hazing and bullying investigation.
ABC7 Eyewitness News spoke with several parents who argued the entire program should not be punished before charges are filed.
“People shouldn’t be penalized for other people’s actions,” said Katrice West, whose son plays on the team.
Parents said they have been seeking more information from the district for months.
“The parents don’t know nothing. They tell us as everyone else finds out,” said Kandice Ward, another football parent.
Players and parents noted that no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. Some players also said certain individuals connected to the investigation have already been moved to independent study programs, though the district has not confirmed that information.
“We’re really not a bad group of kids,” said El Cerrito football player Namon West IV. “I see a lot of my teammates. They work really hard in class to make sure they’re good.”
Ward said her son had no involvement in the allegations and questioned why the entire program was suspended.
“My son is a 4.0 student. He ain’t have nothing to do with this, and you’re taking the whole program away for what?” she said.
Police said they expect charges to be filed as the investigation continues.
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