Since the return of spectators to high school sporting events, many athletes across the country have experienced hate speech and other abuse.
School officials have reported problematic fan behavior ranging from students using foul language, making obscene gestures, throwing objects, and physically fighting. They’ve also reported spectators hurling sexually demeaning and racist language at young athletes.
Over the past year alone, alleged incidents of abuse by fans have been reported in California, Tennessee, Michigan, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Maryland and New York, among other states.
Schools across the country have reported a surge in student misbehavior, which many educators believe is a reflection of the stress the pandemic has placed on teens.
A veteran superintendent and coach who is executive director of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association said, “It’s really happening is in our schools and in society. It’s happening everywhere. Number one, we haven’t had structure. We haven’t had routine. It’s a microcosm of society in general. People’s behavior is, unfortunately, as bad as I’ve seen it.”
