UPDATED: 9-12-25

“We have decided to cancel the remainder of Ursuline’s 2025 football schedule.

The issues that have been raised with our team have saddened and shaken us. As we have previously reported, disciplinary actions were taken against some students, others left the program or our school entirely before discipline could be imposed, our head coach has been suspended, two assistant coaches are on administrative leave, and we continue to cooperate with investigations of this very serious matter.

At the same time, we had hoped to continue our season, with dozens of student-athletes, band members, cheerleaders, and other students, along with coaches, parents and others who are not alleged to be involved at all. They simply wanted to play a sport they love, engage in fulfilling achievements, or support their loved ones. It became increasingly clear, however, the season could not continue, and therefore, this difficult decision had to be made.We also are determined to overcome these challenges and restore faith in our school. 

As we have for many years, we will continue to offer our efforts and support for the many other student accomplishments in the classroom and our substantial roster of rewarding student activities and service opportunities in our school. Our students continue to achieve impressive results in and out of the classroom.

Thank you for your understanding and your continued support during these difficult times.”

-Ursuline’s Leadership Team

(9-11-25) Thursday afternoon, Austintown Fitch High School confirmed that it had canceled its scheduled game against Ursuline on September 26.

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The Austintown Fitch statement reads-

“Due to the allegations involving the Ursuline Football Program, Austintown Fitch will respectfully not be playing Gam 6 against Ursuline on Friday, September 26 at Greenwood Chevrolet Falcon Stadium. This decision was made with careful consideration and in the best interest of our Austintown students and community.”

Akron St. Vincent St. Mary has canceled its October 3rd game with Ursuline-

The decision not to play the Fighting Irish follows Ursuline football players, coaches, administrators and the Diocese in a hazing lawsuit stemming from a team trip. A second lawsuit was filed Wednesday against a football player, school administrators and the Diocese over an alleged assault that happened in 2023

Earlier Warren City Schools Superintendent Steve Chiaro said that Warren G. Harding made the announcement that they decided against playing Ursuline-

Ursuline President Fr. Richard Murphy released a statement Wednesday about the two lawsuits.

“While we have no intention of trying these cases in the media or in public, we look forward to presenting a vigorous legal defense. We are secure, based on everything we currently know, that our school leadership followed relevant policies.”

The loss of the two scheduled games will force the Fighting Irish to miss the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) playoffs. Teams are required to play in at least eight games to qualify.

Ursuline, before the first lawsuit was filed, is currently 2-0 and is on a bye this week. At this time only three opponents remain on the schedule that who have not canceled – Cardinal Mooney, Chaney and Walsh Jesuit. Last week the game with Farrell was cancelled.

FULL INTERVIEW: Subodh Chandra on 2nd federal lawsuit involving Ursuline High School football team

WKYC Channel 3

A second federal lawsuit has been filed against Youngstown’s Ursuline High School, along with several employees, on behalf of a female student and her family. The Title IX suit, filed by Cleveland-based Chandra Law Firm, alleges that the school failed to protect the girl from a star football player’s alleged “sexual harassment, stalking, and violent assault.”

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, names Ursuline High School, Assistant Principal Margaret Damore, Athletic Director John DeSantis, the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, and an Ursuline student athlete and his parents as defendants.

lead counsel Subodh Chandra said in a statement –

“The suit alleges Defendants treated (the girl’s) life, safety, and dignity as less important than winning football games. They allegedly covered for their star football player, lied to (the mother of the girl), and ignored the repeated pleas of their student and her family. They’re claimed to have acted with deliberate indifference toward a young, innocent girl’s physical and emotional well-being. She remains in back pain. With this suit, the family seeks to force the defendants to live up to their duty to protect all students—not just their precious football stars.”