Racial slurs drive record athlete ejections in Virginia high schools
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More Virginia high school athletes were sidelined for racial slurs and hate speech last school year than in any year over the past decade, according to new state data.
The big picture: The latest figures from the Virginia High School League show a continued rise in student-athlete ejections due to racial slurs since at least 2017-18, when VHSL recorded 10.
- In the 2024-25 year, the league recorded 51 — about 10% of total player ejections among varsity athletes.
- The year before that: 32.
- Most involve football players.
Zoom in: The presentation, shown at area meetings earlier this month, doesn't break down the type of hate speech used.
- But fall 2022 data found that of 40 violations recorded, 37 were due to using the N-word.
- VHSL policy says the first incident, which is a sportsmanship violation, results in a one-game suspension.
- A second violation can make an athlete or coach ineligible for the rest of the season. Decisions regarding school suspension or expulsion are up to school officials.
What they're saying: In response to the findings, VHSL Executive Director Ty Gafford told Axios that sportsmanship remains a "key area of focus."
- "VHSL activities are an extension of the classroom, and teaching sportsmanship is an essential part of the educational process," Gafford said.
- VHSL didn't share whether there are additional efforts or training underway to further curb hate speech.
Flashback: In recent years, situations regarding racial slurs during football games — including last year in Hanover and in 2021 in Northern Virginia — have sparked public outrage.
- A bill to require state standards for preventing hate speech during athletic events failed in 2022.