Loyola student spectators ejected from girls basketball game following racist remark

(Editor’s Note: This story has been updated multiple times as more information has been confirmed. The latest update was at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27.)

A Loyola Academy student’s comment on Tuesday, Feb. 24, during a girls basketball game caused a mass spectator ejection and is under investigation by the IHSA.

During a playoff contest between Loyola and Evanston Township High School, a Loyola student in the team’s fan section shouted a “racist, dehumanizing” remark at a Black Evanston student-athlete who was shooting a free throw, according to a statement from ETHS.

The incident was first reported by Tim Coleman Sr., a Chicagoland preps basketball analyst who was in attendance for the IHSA sectional contest at Maine South High School in Park Ridge.

ETHS, in its statement released Wednesday evening, wrote that after the remark, the IHSA personnel officiating the game stopped play and dismissed the entire Loyola student section from the gymnasium.

In line with IHSA policy, the game officials also filed a hate-speech report with the organization that is currently under review, said Matt Troha, the IHSA’s associate director.

Loyola Academy sent The Record a statement on Thursday afternoon condemning the student’s comment. That statement says that the student shouted “Chewbacca,” which Loyola describes as “inappropriate and disrespectful.”

Loyola in its statement does not describe the remark as racist nor does the statement mention discrimination.

“Such behavior is contrary to everything Loyola Academy stands for,” the statement reads. “Rooted in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition, our mission calls us to form young women and men who lead with integrity, exercise sound judgment, and demonstrate respect for others in every setting.”

ETHS in its statement thanks the IHSA officials and the Maine South Athletic Department for “their swift action” in response to the comment.

Evanston and Loyola reportedly connected following the incident and “are aligned in our commitment to addressing the incident, ensuring accountability and continued education and creating an environment where all participants can compete with respect and belonging,” according to the ETHS statement.

Additionally, Loyola President Gregory Ostdiek visited ETHS on Thursday, Feb. 26, to issue an apology for the student’s comment, said Chris Livatino, ETHS’s athletic director. Ostdiek reportedly met with Livatino, ETHS girls basketball coach Brittany Johnson, ETHS Principal Dr. Quiana McNeal and a parent of the ETHS student-athlete at whom the comment was directed.

Livatino said the school has faced hateful behavior before and addressing such conduct is important.

“We’ve experienced this type of hate in the past and it is what prompted us and (the Central Suburban League) to create hate speech protocol,” he aid. “We just want everyone to understand that this does happen, this is real, and educating our children about this is one of the most important things we can do to prepare them to live in our society.”

Loyola Academy’s statement says it does not comment on specific student discipline, but it is addressing the incident in accordance with its policies.

“We expect our students to represent our school with maturity and accountability, particularly in interscholastic competition where sportsmanship and character are on full display,” the statement concludes.

The Ramblers (33-2) girls basketball team is the No. 1 seed in the Maine South Sectional and topped the No. 5 Wildkits 41-25 on Tuesday. Loyola will take on No. 2 Maine South for the sectional championship at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, at Maine South.

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