DES MOINES, Iowa — On Thursday Hoover High School announced the Huskies Football program would be cancelled for the upcoming season.

Qynne Kelly, the Hoover High School Principal, said the decision was made after she learned the Head Coach Theo Evans would not be returning for another year.

“At that point, we had to take a step back and look at all kinds of things, the safety of our students, the interest of our students in playing football, as well as money,” said Kelly. ” Looking at all of those things it just made a lot of sense to invest more in the activities that our students are part of our numbers are quite large.”

Hoover students still wanting to play football will be allowed to join the Roosevelt High Football Team.

“Students will still have the option to play for Roosevelt High School in fact, one of our assistant coaches will even be joining the staff,” said Kelly. “We are going to still invest in getting our kids football if they want, it’s just going to be at Roosevelt High School.”

Not funding a full football team next fall could open some other opportunities.

“We’re looking at potentially investing in fall soccer or some of our performing arts where we have a lot of kids concentrated.” said Kelly. “Boys volleyball has really taken off recently in the Des Moines area and so sports like that are where we’re looking to, you know, put some resources, put some money so that we can serve our families in the way that they’re asking to be served.” 

The decision to not do football has been known in the Husky community for some time.

“My families have actually known for about 9 to 10 days. I sent out a communication to families to partners students,” said Kelly. “It’s going to be a grieving process, anytime you lose something that fond memories are attached, there is going to be a period of grief, and you know I’m honoring that time.”