Sportsmanship of Rhinelander fans questioned on social media
UPDATE: Rhinelander High School Principal issues statement
STAR JOURNAL REPORT
Tuesday afternoon the following statement was released to the Star Journal, in reaction to accusations of inappropriate sportsmanship shown by Rhinelander fans at a football game at Lakeland Union High School.
BY EILEEN PERSIKE
Editor
A social media post written Friday night by the mother of a Lakeland Union High School student has exploded in Rhinelander. In the post, which was addressed to all of Rhinelander, the woman alleged that, when her son approached the Rhinelander fan section at the Sept. 16 football game at LUHS, he was taunted and had garbage and quarters thrown at him. She chastised Rhinelander parents and students for not intervening.
Investigation into the alleged incident began Monday morning, according to School District Superintendent Kelli Jacobi.
“The principal here (David Ditzler) has been gathering information, and talking to the Lakeland principal,” Jacobi said. “There is information coming in that the incident started much sooner than what was first believed — as early as when our athletes got off the buses, and the reception they received from Lakeland fans.”
Still, she said, “we expect better than that from our students.”
No Rhinelander students have been expelled or disciplined as of Tuesday morning. While Rhinelander School District Board of Education President Ron Counter made a brief statement during the full board meeting Monday, Jacobi said the response by the district will not get to the board level. The investigation continues.
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.