FRESNO, CA (KMJ ) –The Fresno Unified School District is pausing the Hoover High School junior varsity football program, effective immediately, out of an abundance of caution for player safety while the district conducts a thorough review of a recent practice-related injury.
Earlier this week, a Hoover High School junior varsity football player was injured during practice.
An ambulance transported the student to a hospital, where the student received medical care.
District and school staff remain in close contact with the student’s family and are coordinating academic support to help him stay on track with his studies throughout his recovery.
As part of standard district protocol, whenever a serious injury occurs during a school activity, the district places the faculty involved on administrative leave while it conducts the review. Administrative leave is a routine, precautionary step the district takes whenever an incident like this is under review; it is standard practice, not a finding of wrongdoing or a reflection on the individuals involved. Four coaches and a trainer have been placed on leave until the review concludes. Because this is a personnel matter, we will not share additional information about the personnel or the leave at this time.
District and school leaders are carefully reviewing the circumstances surrounding the injury, along with athletic safety protocols more broadly, to ensure student-athletes receive appropriate care and support during practices and games. This includes evaluating coaching supervision, emergency response procedures, and adherence to established safety guidelines. The JV football program will remain paused throughout this process. This pause does not affect varsity football activities.
Out of respect for the student and his family’s privacy, the district will not be releasing further details about the nature or extent of the injury. We ask the Hoover High School community and broader Fresno Unified family to keep the student and his loved ones in their thoughts as he continues his recovery.
The district is committed to transparency throughout this process and will share further updates as appropriate, once the review is complete or as significant developments arise.
