Loyola student spectators ejected from girls basketball game following racist remark

A Loyola Academy student’s racist comment on Tuesday during a girls basketball game caused a mass spectator ejection, according to a statement on Wednesday from Evanston Township High School, the Ramblers opponent on Tuesday.

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.

Evanston Township High School released its statement at approximately 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. It says that after the Loyola student directed the “racist, dehumanizing remark” at an Evanston basketball player, the game’s referees stopped play and dismissed the entire Loyola student section from the contest.

While further details of the incident were unclear by press time, the statement thanks the IHSA officials and the Maine South Athletic Department for “their swift action.”

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 statement.

It continues, “ETHS is a proudly diverse school community. We are unwavering in our commitment to protecting our students, confronting racism whenever it occurs, and upholding standards of inclusion and sportsmanship within the Central Suburban League, IHSA and beyond.”

The Loyola Academy Athletic Department has not responded to The Record’s requests for comment and more details.

Stay tuned to The Record as this story develops.

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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