Lakeland Spectators Hurl Racist Taunts At Nyack Cheerleaders

SHRUB OAK, NY — Some Lakeland High School football fans hurled racist taunts at the opposing team's cheerleaders during a football game Friday night.

According to officials in Nyack, Lakeland officials have apologized.

Nyack officials said the cheerleaders heard taunts at halftime, at a concession stand after the game and while getting on the bus. The problem was first caught and reported by an adult in Lakeland, according to The Journal News.

District officials informed parents Monday, in a statement from Superintendent Susan Yom, Director of Athletics Joe Sigillo and Nyack High School Principal Nicole Saieva:

On Friday evening, following the varsity football game between Lakeland High School and our Nyack RedHawks, Lakeland’s Athletics Director informed us that it had been reported to him that Nyack cheerleading student-athletes experienced troubling behaviors by spectators. Our student-athletes acted expediently and promptly notified their coaches. As we understand it, our cheerleaders reported that they were taunted during half-time as well as while getting on the bus following the game. In addition, some of them heard racial epithets behind them as they stood in line at the concession stand.

The Lakeland School District extended its apologies and is working with our district to appropriately address this situation. They immediately began investigating and collaborating with our District Administration. Our District administration will continue to investigate the matter thoroughly. The Yorktown Police Department has also been notified.

Today, our Junior Varsity Football Team will have a game at Lakeland High School. Communication will be forthcoming from Joe Sigillo, our Athletic Director, about today’s precautionary safety measures that will be in place to support our students.

We are taking this matter very seriously in accordance with the regulations outlined by Section I. Our top priority is that our children feel safe and confident where they may attend any athletic event without experiencing racism, bigotry, disrespect, or hurtful spectator behaviors. Any incidents of harassment, bullying or discrimination are investigated, so that we can ensure that appropriate action is taken immediately.

Our cheerleaders attended the game to cheer on our football team. Their fortitude and resilience are highly commendable given the challenging circumstances they endured. Our counselors are available should any of our cheerleaders or students need someone to speak with.

There was no reported incident at the JV game Monday evening, Nyack spokeswoman Lisa Retallack told Patch.

According to The Journal News, "Racist and hurtful comments are never acceptable and have no place in our community, and we take reports of this nature very seriously," Lakeland Superintendent Karen Gagliardi said in a statement.

Similar incidents happened in 2022 — twice — at Nyack games with Pearl River. The first time was at a basketball game. Players and spectators were shocked by taunts that could be clearly heard in a video posted on Twitter by a Nyack fan account. The second was at a middle-school track meet.

An official with the New York State Public High School Athletic Association told Patch Tuesday that NYSPHSAA policy is that during the regular season, such issues should be addressed by the schools and Sectional offices.