Byron Superintendent Buster Barton said the incident was not technically hazing because the players took part willingly
An incident at an Illinois high school in which 10 players stripped naked and participated in what's referred to as an 'Oreo run' was not hazing, according to school administrators.
After interviewing nearly 30 Byron High School football players and coaching staff, and reviewing security camera footage, the administrators ruled that the act was voluntary, according to the Rockford Register Star.
'We take any allegations like this very seriously, and we have a system in place to address it,' Byron Superintendent Buster Barton said. 'But this had nothing to do with hazing.'
The Oreo run involved players running across the field with the Nabisco cookie wedged between their buttocks.
Byron High School's football team made it to the Class 3A state title game amidst the scandal
Despite the fact that the school ruled it was not hazing, players were still suspended for several recent games, including the Class 3A state title game, which Byron lost to Monticello – its only defeat in 2018.
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According to a letter sent to parents, the run took place on October 26 and the school learned about it on November 8. Parents were called as soon as the school discovered the incident.
Despite the fact that the school ruled it was not hazing, players were still suspended for several recent games, including the Class 3A state title game, which Byron lost to Monticello
As Barton told the Rockford Register Star, 10 players admitted to participating in the run. However, it remains unclear if those were the players who were suspended.
Head football coach Jeff Boyer refused to comment on the situation.
According to the Register Star, assistant Sean Considine – a former NFL player – said he was happy with how the incident was handled.
Byron coach Jeff Boyer did not comment
'There was no thought given to the football season, wins or losses, who are the stars and who's not, in this entire thing,' Considine said. 'It was dealt with using an iron fist, and I will stand by all of it.'
As Barton explained, the incident was discovered by a parent who informed the coaches.
'The report was promptly relayed to me and I immediately directed that an investigation take place,' he said. '[They] interviewed all nine football coaches. They also interviewed nearly 30 members of the varsity football team, many in the presence of one or more parent. They also accessed and examined footage from various security cameras at or near the stadium.'
Byron School Board President Carol Nauman agreed that the situation was handled properly.
'The board was informed right away, and they investigated this to the very best of their ability. I'm confident in that,' Nauman said. 'They did everything they could [to protect the kids], and they have worked very hard to get this right.
'As far as making it better for the future, I think that's going to take some time, but we need to work on that.'
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