CIAC Reviewing Claims Of Slurs At East Catholic Football Game

MANCHESTER/CHESHIRE, CT — Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference officials have launched an formal investigation into a claim by a Montville High School cheerleader that racial slurs and spitting were directed toward her at a football game against East Catholic High School.

The game took place last Friday at East Catholic. On Wednesday, CIAC officials met with representatives from East and Montville at the conference offices in Cheshire.

The schools engaged in an "open discussion surrounding the events at a football game between the schools last Friday," officials said.

A joint statement from the two schools will be released "in the coming days," CIAC officials said.

In addition, student leaders from both schools will attend a meeting and Class Act Council leadership training at the CIAC offices, officials said. The CIAC's Class Act Schools initiative is designed to empower schools, and particularly students, to take ownership for all issues related to sportsmanship within the athletics department.

"The CIAC appreciates the willingness of the two schools to come together for today's meeting," conference officials said without elaborating further.

The cheerleader told the The Day of New London that tensions had been escalating throughout the fourth quarter and, after East won 27-26 in overtime, its students stormed the field in celebration.

The cheerleader said the attention then turned to the the Montville contingent and the slur was directed at her specifically. Cheerleaders told The Day that East Catholic students also pushed and spat at them while stepping on their belongings, according to the Day story.

Sean Brennan, president of East Catholic, said administrators met with students Monday to reiterate the school's Student Code of Conduct and the behavioral expectations they have for students. He also said that while they do not believe anything inappropriate was said at Friday's game, the school would continue to investigate and take the matter seriously, according to the story.