An investigation into an alleged racist incident at a Utah boys’ high school lacrosse game is ongoing after a fight broke out following a contest between Highland High School and Wasatch High School on May 7.
With 10 seconds left in the game, a Wasatch player and Highland players came together by the Highland goal after a near score with the Wasatch player being knocked to the ground. As he tried to get up, the fight began with the benches clearing.
Highland parents and players said they heard Wasatch bench players yell racial slurs as the fight broke out.
“At the end of the game, a fistfight happened,” said Lex Scott, founder of the Black Lives Matter Utah, reading from a civil rights complaint sent to her organization that she said was submitted by Highland parents. “During the fight, three players yelled out, ‘Get the N-words’ and went after one of the Black players on the Highland team.”
Wasatch sent FOX13 the following statement:
“Wasatch High School and Wasatch County School District are working with the Utah High School Activities Association and Highland High School administration to investigate an incident between the two schools at a lacrosse game on Friday, May 7, 2021.
“Wasatch County School District takes any allegation seriously. The District expects our student athletes and staff to act as role models for other students, and to uphold district policies against this sort of behavior. WCSD is supporting the investigation of the incident and will continue to work with the involved parties until a resolution is reached. The District will determine whether disciplinary action is warranted based on the outcome of the investigation.”
Scott is skeptical of Wasatch’s words, explaining to Alex Vejar of The Salt Lake Tribune that she believes it will probably come down to a he said, she said situation between the Black and white players.
“If the parents are not satisfied with how the investigation goes, we are happy to protest Wasatch High School,” she said. “Happily, happily we will protest them.”
Highland parents declined on-the-record interviews with FOX13, KSL.com, and other local media outlets.
Highland principal Jeremy Chatterton, who wasn’t at the game, told KPCW radio the investigation is just in its beginning stages.
“Obviously, if students felt as though this was what they heard, then this is something that we would really address, and make sure that we put the proper channels in for them to be able to have the support that they would need,” Chatterton said. “But right now we’re really just in the preliminary investigative stages of what was going on.”
The schools are working together on the investigation, UHSAA assistant director Jon Oglesby said to Sean Walker of KSL.com.
“Both schools began working together immediately that evening to investigate the issue,” he said.
Now for the other lacrosse news for the week of May 11-17, 2021:
Last Week in Lacrosse
-After 28 years, Denison coach Mike Caravana is stepping down as the head coach of the Big Red.
–Xavier University will be the newest DI women’s lacrosse school. The team will play its first season in 2022-23.
–The ACC announced its All-ACC teams. Chris Gray (UNC) took home Offensive Player of the Year, while Defensive Player of the Year went to Jack Kielty (Notre Dame).
-Here’s a fun story on the multiple sets of lacrosse siblings playing for the Terrapins.
-With rumors about his future at Syracuse heating up, John Desko says that he’ll be back next year if it’s up to him.
-Bryant head coach Mike Pressler is back in the tournament again this year. The former Duke coach reflects on his happiness at Bryant after being falsely implicated in the Duke lacrosse scandal.
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