Dayton Stivers football season back on, changing Cincinnati schedules

Dayton Stivers School for the Arts abruptly changed course and will resume its 2026 football season.

After announcing the cancellation of Stivers's season on Monday, Aug. 31, Dayton Public Schools reversed the decision on Wednesday, Sept. 2, following a meeting with football parents.

"After listening to your concerns and suggestions, we've decided to move forward with the football season at Stivers School for the Arts. Thank you for your thoughtful, passionate comments in defense of your children and extracurricular activities," Superintendant David Lawrence said in a statement.

The season was initially cancelled due to low participation numbers and injuries. DPS will continue to monitor the situation to address player safety concerns.

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Four Greater Cincinnati Schools were scheduled to play Stivers later this season. New Miami already replaced Stivers on the schedule with Preble Shawnee, playing later today, Sept. 3. Other future opponents included Shroder (Sept. 24), Norwood (Oct. 2), and Summit Country Day (Oct. 9).

Norwood athletic director Chuck Richardson III announced the school would honor the game against Stivers on Oct. 2.

Summit Country Day athletic director Greg Dennis confirmed that the team will still replace Stivers with a second matchup against Miami Valley Christian Academy on Oct. 9.

Shroder had not yet found a replacement game as of Sept. 2, and did not immediately respond to an inquiry about their updated scheduling plans.

Stivers competes in OHSAA Division V and is in just its second season after a being revived from a 40-year absence. The team went 2-8 last season, forfeiting one game. In the first game of the 2026 season Stivers lost to Gamble Montessori, 50-6. A week two game against Dunbar was cancelled.

One factor influencing DPS's decision to revive the season was the inability for Stivers players to continue the season with other Dayton Schools. Unlike Cincinnati's Lockland, which cancelled its season in early August, Stivers players were not eligible to play for neighboring schools. Since the season has already begun, OHSAA bylaw 4-1-4 considered the school to have sponsored the sport.

Families of the Stivers football team are expected to receive written plans for the remainder of the season sometime on Sept. 3.