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Evanston family seeks accountability after alleged slurs at New Trier football game
Evanston students and families say members of New Trier’s student section directed racist and homophobic abuse at the marching band during Friday’s rivalry game. New Trier’s superintendent apologized as both school districts investigate.
New Trier Township High School’s superintendent apologized Monday after Evanston Township students and families reported racist and homophobic remarks from the New Trier student section during Friday’s football rivalry game at the new Ryan Field.
Kevin Watts, Evanston’s color guard captain, said he heard racial and anti-gay slurs directed toward the marching band, which was at the game to perform. Watts also said people in the crowd yelled for students to kill themselves.
At a New Trier school board meeting Monday, Jennifer Sadler, Watts’ mother, pressed school leaders to explain how they would protect students and hold those responsible accountable. Her child does not attend New Trier.
“I want you to be specific on what was said and what specific actions that you are taking for those students,” Sadler told the board. She also called for parents to be assured that such conduct would not be tolerated.
New Trier’s superintendent described the reported behavior as unacceptable and apologized on behalf of the school community. He said it was painful to hear students describe their experience while preparing for an important performance.
Evanston Township High School District 202 communications director Reine Hanna said the response should include both education and accountability, noting that high school students are still learning and growing.
Both districts are continuing to investigate. New Trier’s superintendent said the school community would come together to learn from the incident. The reports have left students and families in both communities hurt and angry, raising questions about how schools address harassment at events that bring students together.