Marina
ST. LOUIS — Roosevelt High School has suddenly cancelled the remainder of its 2025 football season, shocking players, families, and the local community. What was expected to be a full schedule of games instead ended in a meeting and a statement: the season is over.
The decision, made “without warning,” was attributed to safety concerns, insufficient roster size, and other internal issues coming to a head.
Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) confirmed that the team roster shrank from 38 players to only 20, making continuation untenable from a risk perspective. In addition, officials revealed the head coach suffered a medical emergency, and an assistant coach recently passed away, exacerbating the strain on the program.
Parents and students say they learned of the cancellation via word of mouth or social media, not through formal channels. Julia Perkins, whose son Camryn is a senior player, attended a meeting where she was the only parent physically present.
She was frustrated by the lack of prior communication. According to Perkins, the staff offered assistance with highlight reels to aid college recruitment, but that does little to replace the lost season for athletes.
Key Facts & Timeline
| Aspect | Detail / Figure |
|---|---|
| Initial Roster Size | 38 players |
| Roster at Time of Cancellation | 20 players |
| Season Record Before Cut | 1–8 (after early wins and losses) |
| Reasons Given | Safety risk, low numbers, staffing issues |
| Coaching Challenges | Head coach medical issue; assistant coach passed away |
| Parent Notification | Via social media / child; no formal district memo |
| Support Offered to Students | Highlight reels to assist college exposure |
| Status of Other Sports | Basketball season reportedly to continue as scheduled |
| Future of Football Program | Uncertain — may depend on offseason recruitment & staffing |
Why the Decision Was Made
1. Safety Over Continuation
With only 20 active players, SLPS and Roosevelt staff said continuing would pose unacceptable physical risk, especially during practices, scrimmages, and games. The football program requires depth to handle injuries, substitutions, and matchups. When numbers dip too low, even basic safeties like rest, coverage, and backups fall apart.
2. Staffing and Leadership Struggles
The head coach’s medical emergency further weakened leadership. Adding to the crisis, an assistant coach’s death left gaps in oversight, training, and player support. These events complicated efforts to manage a faltering program.
3. Lack of Notice / Communication
Parents say they were not properly informed. In one meeting, Perkins asked whether the decision had been a collective effort, but staff could not substantiate broad consensus. Many families found out via social media posts or their children, rather than through official channels.
4. Impact on Players’ Futures
Senior players like Camryn lost their chance to showcase skills on the field during a critical time for college recruiting. Perkins said that although highlight reels may be provided, those are no substitute for game exposure. As she put it, “this season he’s done.”
Community & Parent Reactions
Parents voiced anger, disappointment, and a sense of betrayal. Some felt their children earned a chance to compete but were denied that opportunity without warning. The lack of engagement or explanation by district officials fueled more frustration.
One parent asked why the decision was not made earlier or communicated clearly. Others questioned whether the school district anticipated the roster drop or staffing problems and failed to act before canceling midseason.
On a positive note, the district assured that basketball season would proceed as planned. Yet for football, the future remains unclear — everything hinges on recruiting, coaching hires, and funding.
Local news and community outlets emphasize that Roosevelt is not alone; shrinking enrollment, budget constraints, and infrastructure pressures have strained high school athletic programs across many districts.
Roosevelt High School football season ended abruptly, leaving athletes, parents, and the community reeling.
Dwindling roster numbers, safety concerns, and staffing tragedies combined to force a difficult decision — one made seemingly without ample communication or stakeholder input. For many senior players, the opportunity to compete and be seen by college scouts is gone.
Now, the district must rebuild trust, fortify support, and chart a path forward if football is to return. In the meantime, Roosevelt’s remaining sports may carry on, but the memory of this disrupted season will echo for years.