Sayreville War Memorial High School canceled the remainder of its football season earlier this week following a hazing and bullying investigation.
Superintendent Richard Labbe announced that the high school will forfeit its remaining six games this season.
"There were incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying," Labbe told the media in a statement. "That took place on a pervasive level, on a wide-scale level and at a level in which the players knew, tolerated and in general accepted."
This announcement came after a closed-door meeting between the school and parents of players on the football team.
Labbe said that the ongoing investigation has gathered "credible and substantial evidence" thus far. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is handling the investigation.
The school's decision affects all freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams.
Sayreville has won three state sectional championships over the past four years, making it one of the most successful football programs in the area. The team was 2-1 this season before the cancellation was announced.
Charles Garcia, an assistant coach with the team, resigned after he was arrested last week on steroid possession charges.
Despite the allegations, parents of players have expressed disapproval of the decision to forfeit the remainder of the season.
"They're holding the kids accountable and not holding the coaching staff and teachers accountable," Curtis Beckham, who has a son on the varsity team, told NJ.com. "I don't think what they're doing is fair. A lot of the students who are innocent, they're suffering."
