Sayreville War Memorial High School will have a football season in 2015, the district superintendent announced on Tuesday.
The 2014 season was canceled after seven players were charged with sex crimes related to allegations of brutal hazing rituals against freshmen.
The players, who were all under the age of 18, were charged as juveniles and have not been identified. After their arrest, Superintendent Richard Labbe in October canceled the season in what he called a stance against bullying, intimidation, and harassment.
On Tuesday, Labbe thanked the school board and community for their support.
"I believe very strongly after the last several months that football is a very important part of our athletic programs and our community and therefore, in counsultation with our Board of Education, I am pleased to announce to you this evening that we will have a 2015 football season," he said, mycentraljersey.com reported.
His actions caused controversy in the community and within the high school, which was known for its consistent presence in state playoffs. The program's head coach, who had been in his role for 20 years, was suspended indefinitely, NBC News reported. The school board also on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Sayreville athletics director John Kohutanycz.
