Lea este artículo en español aquí.
San Benito High School District officials are facing backlash from students, student-athletes and parents, and the larger community, about their handling of the varsity football program that has led to the cancellation of the 2026 season.
While the district has only stated it is conducting an investigation into “team activities” and that head coach Thomas Sullivan was placed on paid administrative leave earlier this month before cancelling the rest of the season on Sept. 21, rumors have been circulating in the community that the turmoil is related to hazing allegations.
BenitoLink has not been able to confirm any of the allegations which, according to other news outlets and social media, included fighting and Oreo cookies.
Sullivan has hired an attorney, Joseph Cisneros of Salinas, to represent him and Cisneros issued a press release on Sept. 24 saying Sullivan is “deeply saddened by the circumstances that have compelled Hollister High School to cancel its football season,” and adding that “at no time did Coach Sullivan have knowledge of the circumstances that ultimately led to the cancellation of the season.” (See full press release below.)
In announcing the season’s cancellation, the district cited not having enough varsity players to safely continue the season, raising questions about how many players were allegedly involved in any incidents.
According to a Maxpreps roster, the team had 64 players.
The peculiar situation of the Balers football team has received attention from Sports Illustrated, USA Today and the New York Post.
At the school’s traditional homecoming parade on Sept. 24, a 14-year-old freshman told BenitoLink he believed the hazing rumors because it would be hard for someone to make them up.
“I think it’s wrong and people should not be doing that,” he said. “If it is false, it sucks that the season was cancelled because of rumors.”
Another 14-year-old freshman, David Lujan, called the hazing allegations “disgusting” but questioned why the entire season needed to be cancelled.
Nathan Velez, the father of a school band member, said it’s a sad situation for the students who were impacted but were not part of the alleged hazing. He added that the people involved should face consequences for their actions.
“They should have known that, but they are kids,” he said. “It’s definitely a lesson learned.”
Gus Gonzalez, from the Hollister High class of 1985, said he likes to keep up with the football team even though he doesn’t have kids who go to the school and can hear the crowd cheers from his home during home games. Gonzalez said those who were involved in the alleged hazing should be removed from the team and players from the junior varsity team should be promoted to finish the season.
“At least fans, parents, cheerleaders can enjoy their senior season,” he said.
Because of the lack of information from the district, a group of community members, including parents and students, attended the Sept. 22 district Board of Trustees meeting to call for transparency. Many others have also taken to social media to voice concerns about how the football season has unfolded.
“Maybe you can’t tell us the details of what’s going on, but it sucks to be at home and to look at them, at their tears and their pain and you don’t even know how to fix it because you don’t even know what’s going on to give them the direction of what to feel because as parents, we are just as confused,” a public speaker said at the district board meeting, according to a video posted by independent reporter Chris Cerney.
According to the same video, multiple members of the cheerleading team also spoke at the meeting, noting the impact the cancellation of the varsity football season had on them. One of the speakers asked the board for transparent communication, for the district to provide other platforms where student groups such as band and cheer can continue to perform, and to include student input when taking action that impacts campus organizations.
Asked if the district would respond to the community’s call for transparency, Hollister High School Communications Officer Adam Breen said the matter is still under review and that there is no new information to share.
In response to BenitoLink’s Sept. 21 article about the school forfeiting its game against Alisal High, commenter Ruben Rodriguez said he wanted information about what led to the school forfeiting the game.
“The school should not be allowed to keep this from the public,” he said.
Responding to the same article, commenter Angela Sanchez said on social media she “didn’t really appreciate” that her son was being taken out of class to be questioned without her being notified.
Other parents have been more critical of the district’s handling of the situation and lack of information to the community.
In a Facebook comment on BenitoLink’s article about the forfeiture to Alisal, commenter Rebecca Matuzek said it was “appalling” the way the district handled informing the families and students of their decision.
“Now speculation going around online,” she said, in an apparent reference to the multiple versions of hazing activities.
Reactions from the community also include those who say that if students broke rules, that there should be consequences.
“Every position comes with responsibilities, consequences, and accomplishments,” commenter Jodi Salvador posted on Facebook in response to BenitoLink’s article about the season being canceled. “Let’s address what’s wrong, learn from it, improve, and continue doing better for our kids, our community, and the future athletes coming behind them.”
The mystery surrounding the football program began on Sept. 10 when Hollister High announced it had placed Sullivan on leave.
The Balers beat Wilcox the next day under interim head coach Chris Cameron, who previously led the program for 22 years.
The team then forfeited its next match against Alisal on Sept. 17, less than four hours before the scheduled kickoff. The school cited an “ongoing review of a recent report regarding team activities.”
In the runup to the homecoming game on Sept. 25 against Soquel High, the team’s season was cancelled on Sept. 21 in an announcement saying the school could not “safely field a team.”
While Hollister High students won’t have the traditional homecoming game, Breen said the related activities will move forward as scheduled.
That included the homecoming parade on Sept. 24, which featured participating school organizations including the junior varsity and freshman football teams, whose seasons will continue.
The school plans to host its homecoming rally on Sept. 25 at Andy Hardin Stadium, when the homecoming queen will be named.
The Homecoming ceremony typically held at halftime of the varsity football game will apparently not occur this year.
The festivities conclude with the homecoming dance at the Veterans Memorial Building in Hollister, where the homecoming king will be crowned.
Press release issued by Hollister head coach Thomas Sullivan’s attorney
Coach Thomas Sullivan is deeply saddened by the circumstances that have compelled Hollister High School to cancel its football season. His thoughts are with the student-athletes, their families, and the entire Hollister High School community during this trying time.
At no time did Coach Sullivan have knowledge of the circumstances that ultimately led to the cancellation of the season.
While it has been Coach Sullivan’s goal to build a successful football program, his highest priority as a coach has always been the safety, health, and well-being of every student-athlete entrusted to the program. I know that commitment will continue moving forward.
Coach Sullivan is deeply disappointed by the loss of a season that the players, coaches, families, and community worked so hard to move forward. Above all, I know that he remains committed to the student-athletes and to doing everything he can to support them during this difficult time.
Sincerely yours,
Joseph Cisneros
Attorney for Thomas Sullivan
BenitoLink thanks our underwriter, Hollister Rotary, for helping expand the sports coverage around San Benito County. Rotary is a nonprofit organization that conducts humanitarian projects, encourages high ethical standards, and works toward world understanding. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.
You must be logged in to post a comment.