School districts investigate use of 'derogatory racial language' at football game

OCONOMOWOC -- Two suburban school districts say they are investigating the use of racial slurs by fans at a recent football game. There are claims the slurs were used by players on the field, but it just depends on who you ask.

On Friday night, Oct. 18, the Oconomowoc High School played host to the Wauwatosa East Red Raiders. But the time the final whistle blew, the Raccoons bested the Raiders, 21-6. But in the days that followed, the two school districts have been looking into allegations of racist language used during the game.

The school districts confirm a Wauwatosa east player told a game official a person in the Oconomowoc student section shouted "derogatory racial language" at him.

A Wauwatosa East coach also asked if game officials heard anything -- while some East athletes claimed the same slur was used by some Oconomowoc players.

An East High School parent also reached out to both districts in the days the followed.

Wauwatosa School District released the following statement:

 

Oconomowoc Area School District tells FOX6 News on Wednesday, Oct. 23 that its investigation found "none of our athletes used or directed racial slurs towards their opponents." But said that in interviews with students that "vulgar comments" and"racial slurs" "were used repeatedly" by Wauwatosa East High School athletes "toward our athletes."

However, the district did say it "has reason to believe that two racial slurs were made by OHS students in our student section who have not been identified."

OASD said in part, "We recognize that we have had students misstep in the past, sometimes in very unacceptable ways, and we have owned those mistakes and held students accountable. We also will support our students and coaches in cases like this when our investigation does not reveal the facts consistent with what was reported."

According to OASD, game officials never heard anything racist said all game.

Oconomowoc schools said it is continuing its investigation and working with its school resource officer to identify the students responsible.

Again, Wauwatosa schools said late Wednesday night that it is looking into alleged inappropriate conduct of its own football players after being notified by Oconomowoc school officials.