Pasadena High School Canceled Varsity Football Season

The district cited player safety concerns and low student enrollment for the sudden shutdown of the program.

Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Football

Pasadena High School Canceled Varsity Football Season

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Pasadena High School has canceled its varsity football season for the remainder of the year due to declining enrollment. The decision led to the cancellation of the traditional Turkey Tussle game against John Muir High School.

Why it matters

Declining enrollment across the district has depleted the athletic pipeline, making it impossible to support full football programs. Administrators stated that the lack of a junior varsity farm system forced the cancellation over player safety concerns.

The cancellation affects the program that won the CIF Southern Section championship in 2024. The district currently serves four high schools, all of which are facing pressure from student population declines.

The players

Pasadena High School

This educational institution is the site of the canceled varsity football season.

John Muir High School

This local school is a cross-town rival that participates in the annual Turkey Tussle.

Alfredo Resendiz

He serves as the Athletic Director at John Muir High School and warned the board about program stability.

The details

Pasadena High School operated without a freshman or junior varsity system this season, leaving the varsity team without a pipeline of replacement players. Athletic Director Alfredo Resendiz of John Muir High School warned the board that district-wide program declines reflect a broader exodus of students due to graduation and transfers.

1933: Pasadena High School last championship win prior to 2024.
2024: Pasadena High School won the CIF Southern Section championship.
September 24, 2026: Pasadena Unified School District Board meeting occurred.
October 22: Next scheduled district board meeting.

Season Trajectory

The abrupt end of the season halts the momentum of a program that reached the pinnacle of the CIF Southern Section championship in 2024. This development disrupts the competitive balance within the local district and creates significant uncertainty for the future of the Turkey Tussle tradition.

The cancellation results in a $8,000 to $12,000 revenue loss for the district by eliminating the annual Turkey Tussle. Students and families will also lose a major community event typically held at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

The takeaway

The challenges facing Pasadena underscore how critical a deep farm system is for sustaining competitive high school sports. Districts must prioritize stable enrollment and student retention to ensure that extracurricular traditions survive changing demographic trends.

What happens next

The Pasadena Unified School District Board is scheduled to hold its next meeting on October 22 to discuss the future of district-wide athletic programming.