Two well-known high schools in Chicago’s north suburbs have released a statement following racist and homophobic comments allegedly made during the teams’ rivalry game at Northwestern University’s Ryan Field.
New Trier High School District 203 and Evanston Township High School District 202 issued a joint statement over the weekend saying they are aware of reports that members of Evanston’s marching band “were subjected to racist and homophobic comments and other offensive behavior by New Trier fans” during the Friday game.
“We take these reports extremely seriously and recognize the concern they have caused students, families, and our broader communities,” the statement read. “Standing against racism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination is central to the missions of both districts. We have a responsibility to uphold these values through our actions and to teach our students to do the same. Every student deserves to be treated with respect and dignity in our classrooms, in the stands, and wherever students represent their schools.”
The districts said they are working together to investigate the reported incident and “determine appropriate next steps.” They asked anyone with knowledge of what happened to share it with their school administration.
“Our shared commitment is to a thorough review, appropriate action based on the findings, and accountability for discriminatory behavior. We will respect student privacy and maintain appropriate confidentiality throughout this process,” the statement read.
Kevin Watts, a member of Evanston Township’s marching band, described what he experienced Friday night on the field.
“The n-word, the f-slur, that’s personally what I heard,” Watts said.
Kiro Tabor, also in the marching band, said they were harassed by students from New Trier High School. It started during their pregame cheer just under the rival school’s student section.
“This line of boys in front of us just kind of starts yelling the n-word at me, hard E-R,” Tabor said. “I was a little shaken by that, and then obviously, you know, saw the whole thing happen with Kevin.”
The two friends and a third student, who was off camera, said as the band was leaving, a bandmate was spit on.
“Then they start screaming to kill ourselves, for us to kill ourselves,” Watts said.
“It was just unnecessary over a football game, and I don’t think that anything like this should have ever happened,” Tabor said.
Dr. Marcus Campbell, superintendent of Evanston Township High School District 202, and Dr. Peter Tragos, New Trier Township High School District 203 superintendent, wrote in the statement that “no student should leave an event where they came to perform, compete, or support their peers feeling that their dignity or belonging were demeaned.”
“Both districts are committed to addressing these reports with the seriousness they deserve, upholding our shared values, and ensuring that respect, dignity, and accountability remain fundamental expectations in our school communities.”
Read their full letter below:
Evanston Township High School District 202 and New Trier Township High School District 203 are aware of reports that members of the ETHS Marching Band were subjected to racist and homophobic comments and other offensive behavior by New Trier fans during the October 16 football game at New Ryan Field. We take these reports extremely seriously and recognize the concern they have caused students, families, and our broader communities.Standing against racism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination is central to the missions of both districts. We have a responsibility to uphold these values through our actions and to teach our students to do the same. Every student deserves to be treated with respect and dignity in our classrooms, in the stands, and wherever students represent their schools.Our administrations are working closely together to investigate these reports and determine appropriate next steps. We encourage anyone with firsthand information to share it with their school administration. Our shared commitment is to a thorough review, appropriate action based on the findings, and accountability for discriminatory behavior. We will respect student privacy and maintain appropriate confidentiality throughout this process.Friday evening should have been an opportunity to celebrate our students, spirited competition, and the longstanding traditions of our two school communities. 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.Both districts are committed to addressing these reports with the seriousness they deserve, upholding our shared values, and ensuring that respect, dignity, and accountability remain fundamental expectations in our school communities.
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