Two suburban school districts are investigating after reports of homophobic and racist slurs at Friday night's football game between the two schools. Played at Northwestern University's newly opened Ryan Field, the game was supposed to be a season highlight for New Trier and Evanston Township high schools. More than 25,000 fans attended, according to some reports.
New Trier fans directed racist and homophobic comments toward members of the Evanston marching band, according to a joint statement from both districts' superintendents.
"Friday evening should have been an opportunity to celebrate our students, spirited competition, and the longstanding traditions of our two school communities," the statement said. "For the ETHS Marching Band, it was an especially meaningful opportunity to do what they love: share their talents and proudly represent their school. No student should leave an event where they came to perform, compete, or support their peers feeling that their dignity or belonging were demeaned."
Administrators at both districts are working together to investigate the reports and encourage anyone with information about the incident to contact their school's administration.
