Lincoln-Way East On Probation After Probe Into Encounters Involving H-F High School: IHSA

FRANKFORT, IL — The Illinois High School Association has put Lincoln-Way East High School on probation, the outcome of an investigation into two incidents of actual and perceived racism involving Homewood-Flossmoor High School last month.

The investigation probed an initial incident involving Lincoln-Way East fans at Homewood-Flossmoor High School early in the month, in which students were captured on video by several in the stands during the two teams' varsity game, mimicking the movements and sounds of monkeys, flapping their arms and crawling on the ground.

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The six Lincoln-Way East students opted to withdraw voluntarily to avoid the Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education's recommended expulsion. The board voted unanimously to accept the students' voluntary withdrawal.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Tingley said at the Sept. 17 District 210 Board of Education meeting that he felt the district had acted swiftly and thoroughly in addressing the situation.

"We became aware of the students' behavior late Friday night, Sept. 4 into Saturday morning, Sept. 5," Tingley said. "The district promptly released a statement condemning the students' behavior and apologizing to the Homewood-Flossmoor community. I made clear the students' behavior does not reflect the expectations and values we have for LW students.

"From that point forward, however, my responsibility as superintendent was to ensure the law and board of education policies were followed at every step with respect to those students' discipline."

The IHSA said it "found that the Lincoln-Way East administration, and then later the Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education, reacted swiftly and responsibly in condemning the ugly behavior and addressing the situation to the best of their ability.

"Given that the involved students are no longer enrolled in District 210, the students were not subject to any additional sanctions from the IHSA."

IHSA officials also continued an investigation into a second alleged incident that took place the next day, involving the Lincoln-Way East and Homewood-Flossmoor girls' cross country teams. In that encounter, three Homewood-Flossmoor athletes reported hearing a Lincoln-Way East coach encouraging the school's athletes to run "past those monkeys," with some of the athletes allegedly cheering and making "noises that were racist" and "monkey gestures."

IHSA officials said that in reviewing the statements of witnesses and other evidence from the meet, the IHSA was "unable to corroborate any malicious language directed at anyone involved in the meet.

"The IHSA recognized that the Lincoln-Way East coaches exercised poor judgment in some of the terminology they used toward their own student-athletes in attendance," officials said. "Independently, the IHSA confirmed that a portion of the course historically has been known or referred to by a term that may have appeared innocent, but when used in a different context can be interpreted as racially insensitive. Lincoln-Way East imposed educational requirements on its coaches as a result, and the IHSA accepted the actions imposed by the school."

In wrapping the investigation, IHSA officials put Lincoln-Way East on probation.

"Probation does not deny the school or its programs any IHSA privileges at this time, but it does set the expectation that any further violations will result in more serious consequences," officials said. "The IHSA also requested that Lincoln-Way East provide greater administrative oversight of students at athletic events moving forward."

Officials encouraged students from the schools to "find ways to come together to overcome and reach understanding," their statement reads.

"High school sports are typically a unifying event and every high school student in Illinois should be guaranteed the opportunity to compete in a safe space. The IHSA recognizes how deeply hurtful these incidents were to the involved students and communities," IHSA officials said. "... We hope that competition in athletics and activities between the two schools and communities can serve as a bridge in that process. We have also heard from several other IHSA member schools about how this situation has led to important conversations in their respective schools about the power of actions and words. Education-based athletics are an extension of the classroom and we hope that the lessons learned will ultimately allow for some positives to come from this deeply disappointing situation."

IHSA officials said the incidents may be the subject of future litigation, so the association will not issue any further comment—"while also reserving the right to reopen its investigation at any time should any new information be revealed."