The Evanston Township High School marching band was allegedly the subject of racist and homophobic comments during New Trier’s game at New Ryan Field.

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) — A high school marching band was allegedly the subject of racist and homophobic comments during the first-ever high school football game at Northwestern University’s New Ryan Field in Evanston, school district officials said.

Evanston Township School District 202 and New Trier Township School District 203 released a joint statement Sunday regarding the incident that occurred Friday evening.

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Members of the Evanston Township High School marching band were allegedly “subjected to racist and homophobic comments and other offensive behavior from New Trier fans,” officials said.

“Addressing racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination is at the heart of both districts’ missions. We have a responsibility to uphold these values ​​through our actions and teach our students to do the same,” said Evanston Township School District 202 Superintendent Dr. Marcus Campbell and
New Trier Township School District 203 Superintendent Dr. Peter Tragos read in part. “Every student deserves to be treated with respect and dignity in our classrooms, in the stands and wherever students represent their school.”

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New Trier beat ETHS 42-28 in a high school football game that drew 27,000 fans to the brand new $870 million college football stadium in the north suburbs.

Both districts are investigating the alleged incident.

No further information was available.