(8-7-26) Update on the 2026 High School Football Program

Related:Lockland Cancels Upcoming Football Season

Dear Oberlin City School Families, Students, Staff, and Community,

We want to provide you with an important update regarding the Oberlin High School football program.

Over the past several weeks, the District, coaching staff, athletic department, and current student-athletes have worked diligently to in-house recruit additional players and build participation for the upcoming season. We sincerely appreciate every student and family who attended summer workouts, participated in our football interest meeting, and demonstrated their commitment to Oberlin Football.

Unfortunately, participation remains significantly below the level needed to safely and successfully field a varsity football team. Last week, 12 student-athletes attended practice on Thursday, and attendance declined to 5 players on Friday. Mandatory camp started Monday, with attendance of 8 students. This was followed up by attendance of 7 at Tuesday camp. Moving forward with insufficient participation would place an unfair physical burden on our student-athletes and increase the potential for injury. Our responsibility is to ensure every athletic program operates in a manner that is safe, educational, and sustainable. As participation has not improved to a level that supports a safe and sustainable program, the District has no choice other than to cancel the 2026 Oberlin High School football season.

This is not a decision anyone wanted to make. We recognize that football is an important tradition in Oberlin and that this situation affects not only our football players, but also our cheerleaders, marching band members, families, alumni, and the many community members who make Friday nights special. We share in the disappointment felt throughout our school community.

Why Has This Occurred?

The District has carefully reviewed the circumstances surrounding the current participation numbers. There is no single reason for the decline, but rather several contributing factors.

  • Over the past several years, the program graduated a significant number of senior football players, resulting in a much smaller returning roster.
  • Football participation has steadily declined over several years and this season continues that trend.
  • Student participation has increased in other athletic programs, including track and field, soccer, golf, baseball, bowling, and other extracurricular activities, providing students with a wider variety of interests and opportunities.
  • Although District enrollment has increased slightly, that growth has not resulted in additional football participation.
  • The District has lost a small number of students to neighboring schools and other educational opportunities.
  • Despite extensive in-house recruiting efforts by our coaches, athletic department, administrators, and current players throughout the offseason and summer, participation has not reached a level necessary to safely sustain a varsity football program.

Supporting Our Students

As the football season is canceled, our immediate priority is supporting every student affected by this decision.

Football Student-Athletes

NEW 2026-27 Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act Guidance

With the recent passage of Ohio’s Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act, the District is actively working with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) and neighboring school districts to determine opportunities that may allow our football players to participate elsewhere this season. We have already begun conversations with neighboring districts. 

The Athletic Department will also recognize students who would have qualified for football-related honors, including varsity letters, pins, and other appropriate awards in accordance with district guidelines.

Marching Band

The marching band season will continue as planned. The Band Director is developing alternative performance opportunities to ensure students continue to have meaningful experiences throughout the fall.

Cheerleading

The District is working closely with the high school cheerleading coach to identify alternative opportunities for supporting athletic teams.

Conference Membership

Oberlin City Schools will remain a member of the conference in all other athletic programs, including middle school football. We continue to work through scheduling and conference-related details associated with varsity football.

Looking Ahead

While our immediate focus is on determining whether sufficient participation exists for this season, we remain committed to the long-term future of football at Oberlin High School.

Over the coming months, the District will evaluate participation trends, collaborate with the City and other community organizations to strengthen youth football development, continue recruiting efforts, and assess future options to rebuild a sustainable football program. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the District canceling the season?
Current participation numbers are not sufficient to safely support a varsity football program throughout an entire season.

Why are we canceling late? 

Over the past five football seasons, Oberlin High School has fielded varsity football teams with 17 to 22 student-athletes each year. While our students and coaches have demonstrated tremendous commitment, maintaining sufficient roster numbers to safely sustain the program has become increasingly challenging.

Throughout the 2025–2026 school year and again this summer, the District hosted several informational meetings and football interest sessions to encourage participation and provide families with information about the upcoming season. Attendance at these meetings ranged from 10 to 14 prospective student-athletes. Historically, the District has experienced an increase in participation during the first week of August as students finalize their fall activities. Unfortunately, that increase has not occurred this year.

The District remained optimistic that additional students would join the program before the start of the season. However, based on current participation numbers, we must carefully evaluate whether we can safely and responsibly field a varsity football team. 

Did the District attempt to recruit additional players?
Yes. Coaches, administrators, the athletic department, and current players actively recruited in-house throughout the offseason and summer. Despite those efforts, participation remains below a safe level.

Why can’t the team simply play with fewer players?
Football requires adequate roster depth for safe practices, substitutions during games, injury management, and season-long competition. Student safety must remain the District’s highest priority. 

Can Oberlin students play football at another school?
Potentially. Under Ohio’s Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act and OHSAA regulations, students may be eligible to participate at a neighboring district if approved by both school districts and the receiving school has room within its program. 

Our neighboring districts include: Wellington, Amherst, Elyria, Firelands and Keystone. 

Will middle school football continue?
Yes. Middle school football is expected to continue. Numbers are at 20, which is up from last season!

Will the marching band and cheerleading programs continue?
Yes. The marching band will continue with alternative performance opportunities, and the District is working to identify opportunities for the cheerleading program.

Will football players still receive awards or recognition?
Yes. Eligible student-athletes will receive appropriate football-related recognition through the Athletic Department.

Could football return in the future?
Yes. The District remains committed to rebuilding the football program and will continue evaluating participation each year while exploring all viable options for long-term sustainability.

Will the District provide transportation for the student athletes playing at neighboring schools? 

Transportation: Families are responsible for providing transportation to and from team activities. Students are expected to follow all team guidelines and rules. However, your student is still enrolled in Oberlin City Schools. 

The District will collaborate with the receiving district on all areas to make a safe and successful transition. 

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We recognize that football has been an important part of Oberlin’s history and community for generations. We understand the disappointment this situation brings to our student-athletes, families, coaches, alumni, band members, cheerleaders, and supporters.

These decisions are never made lightly. Our responsibility is to place student safety first while ensuring every athletic program has the opportunity to succeed over the long term. We remain committed to exploring every reasonable option before making a final determination and to supporting every student affected by this process.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support of Oberlin City Schools and our student-athletes. We will continue to communicate openly as additional information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Hall, Superintendent

Mr. Julian Acosta-Gorman, Athletic Director