Tiverton High School basketball game spectators accused of making racial slurs

TIVERTON — Spectator behavior, including possible racist comments, were called into question for what allegedly took place at Tiverton High School during a boys basketball game between Shea High School of Pawtucket and Tiverton on Feb. 2.

During the game it was alleged that racial slurs were heard from spectators, and monkey noises were made when players were taking free throws. According to a BLM RI PAC press release, multiple Shea students, student athletes, teachers and parents who attended the game in support of their team alleged that Tiverton parents and students were the culprits.

Mike Lunney, director of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, said he was aware of the incident on Monday.

“We’re facilitating communication between the schools,” Lunney said. “It’s still too early in the investigation. We need to get all the facts and figure things out before we can determine what can happen.”

Tiverton High School Athletic Director Chuck Grant, with input from Shea High School AD Dino Campopiano, conducted an investigation. Grant interviewed the game’s head referee, the three Tiverton event attendants (crowd monitors) as well as three members of the student body.

On Monday Tiverton Superintendent of Schools Peter Sanchioni sent the results of Grant’s investigative report to @UpriseRI. It disputes some of the alleged behavior in the BLM RI PAC release.

The investigation determined that a non-Tiverton student did use abusive and profane language directed at a Shea player during the first half of the contest.

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One of the school’s game attendants sat with the student and helped him redirect his language, hand gestures and attitude. However, just after halftime as the Shea team returned to the court, the individual acted out again using a racial slur and other profane language. He was promptly removed from the game.

The investigation also found another spectator, this one a Tiverton student, also used abusive and profane language directed at a Shea player. However, no racial slur was said. The investigation also determined no Tiverton adult uttered racial slurs.

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Tiverton officials meted out punishments to the two teens. The non-Tiverton student is banned from all sporting events and will be sent a letter of "no trespassing."

The Tiverton student is banned from attending Tiverton sporting events for the remainder of the school year. The individual also must take the National Federation High School Sportsmanship class and submit the completion certificate to Grant in order to be eligible to begin any chance of reinstatement next year.

As of Monday afternoon, it was unknown what discipline, if any, would be taken by the RIIL.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Reports of racial slurs at Tiverton basketball game investigated