AMHERST — Amherst Regional High School officials last week determined there was inappropriate behavior by Hurricanes fans at a Sept. 23 girls soccer game against Holyoke High School.
A case of inappropriate behavior by Amherst Regional Hurricanes fans at a Sept. 23 girls soccer game appears to have been resolved by school officials in Amherst and Holyoke following an investigation.
In a letter sent to parents, guardians and students Thursday, Sept. 29, and posted on the Amherst Regional school website, high school principal Mark Jackson wrote that an investigation into allegations of taunting and bullying of Holyoke players uncovered no use of racist language.
“While there was considerable evidence that ARHS fans were inappropriate, we found no evidence to corroborate the allegation that racial slurs were used,” Jackson wrote.
The investigation included interviewing the two referees who officiated the game, a police officer on duty, four members of the event staff and 10 high school students in attendance. Jackson said in his letter that he apologized to Holyoke Principal Stephen Sullivan, and that the experience would be used to develop a framework for clearer behavioral expectations by fans.
In a telephone interview, Jackson said he has regularly been in touch with Holyoke school officials. “My impression is they feel like we held up our end,” Jackson said.
Holyoke public school officials said they appreciate Amherst’s investigation but will continue to keep the incident and others like it on the state’s radar.
“Our families and student athletes continue to express concern about fan behavior during this game and previous athletic contests in Amherst,” Holyoke Public Schools Receiver Stephen Zrike said in a statement released Monday. “Holyoke High School has been, and will continue to be in contact with the MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) regarding this matter.”
Zrike praised the Holyoke girls soccer team. “They have remained focused on their team goals and have positively represented the city of Holyoke,” he stated. “Moving forward, we hope that the attention will be placed on the talented student athletes of both Holyoke and Amherst.”
Most of Jackson’s letter focused on how to improve conduct, while still allowing fans to cheer for their team.
“I have no interest in turning athletic contests into a library,” Jackson wrote.
The “Fan Framework,” Jackson explained, should include supporting the home team, rather than being hostile toward the visitors and referees. Using terms such as “lousy players” or “lousy officials,” or synonyms of “lousy,” leading chants including “warm up the bus” and “if you’re winning, clap your hands,” and calling out specific names and numbers of opponents will not be allowed.
In an email, Jackson said he would not elaborate on whether the use of “lousy” was among the disparaging remarks made.
Jackson met with several students during lunch to answer questions they might have about how they should act at sporting events.
“I’m mindful that the framework may take some getting used to and that (there) are still issues to clarify,” Jackson wrote. “I’m patient. To disregard it altogether will result in removal by our event staff.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
