(9-8-26) The Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA) has opened an investigation following a September 8 report from Homewood-Flossmoor High School regarding unacceptable words and actions directed toward its student-athletes at a cross country meet on September 5.
Every student-athlete deserves a safe and respectful environment to compete. Demeaning words and actions will not be tolerated.
This follows an incident that took place at a football game between Homewood-Flossmoor and Lincoln-Way East Friday night.
Chicago Suburbs Football Game “racist harassment” Incident
According to the schedule H-F competed at the Mike Kuharic Invitational at Lyons Township HS on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Homewood-Flossmoor High School said there was a second incident with the Lincoln-Way East Girl’s Cross Country Team at during the invitational.
a spokesperson for Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210
“Lincoln-Way’s administration learned that, prior to the meet on Saturday morning, Lincoln-Way East coaches merely recounted a well-known story about an area of the Lyons Township course referred to as “the jungle,” This area is labeled as such on publicly available maps of the course. According to the coaching staff and student-athletes, at the time of the meet Saturday morning, they were not even aware of the events that took place on Friday.
After concluding its investigation into the cross-country meet allegations, the Lincoln-Way administration is confident that neither its staff nor student athletes intended to harass, intimidate or offend any of their competitors or those competitors’ families. Nevertheless, the entire Lincoln-Way school community recognizes the impact and sensitivity of the matter, particularly after the egregious and intolerable behavior displayed by certain Lincoln-Way East students during Friday’s football game.”
HF Board of Education Response to Racist Incidents
September 8, 2026
Dear HF School Community,
First, I want to address the hateful behaviors directed at our students and community by a group of Lincolnway East students. These behaviors were not simply “inappropriate” — they were racist and ugly and ignorant. And the fact that we have now learned of two such incidents in one weekend deserves all our attention and a firm response.
On behalf of the HF Board of Education, I want to convey our outrage and disgust, which I know is shared by many in the HF community and beyond. I want the HF community to know that this Board of Education is wholly committed to providing the support, validation and guidance our students need at this moment.
To our students … we are with you. You did not deserve this. Your school community will not allow these racist, hateful acts to go unanswered. Thank you for your composure, restraint and resilience as we sort through this unfortunate situation. We will continue to give you a voice, and through you, we will strengthen our school community in the face of this hate, and make it even better. And we will protect your rights to the fullest extent allowed by the law.
To our community members … thank you for your support of our students and our school community during this difficult time. Thank you, specifically, for standing with us in condemning behaviors that some have sought to minimize, explain and excuse. Thank you, also, to those in surrounding communities, who have spoken up in solidarity with us.
To our school community, our teachers and staff and school leaders … you have been amazing. Your handling and management of this moment has been exemplary. And as always, your priority has been our students and their needs. We appreciate your magnificent front line handling of the difficult hand you have been dealt. Thank you!!
Hate has no place at HF. We have adopted policies and practices compliant with the 2024 Illinois Racism Free Schools Act (https://ilga.gov/documents/legislation/publicacts/103/103-0472.htm). These policies and practices include public sharing, and honest dialogue and accounting of incidents like those that occurred this past weekend. We also provide dedicated support to students impacted by acts of racism, and we endeavor to prevent the reoccurrence of future racist acts.
Finally, please hear this: In spite of all that transpired this weekend, your Board of Education remains encouraged, optimistic and proud. After all … We are HF, Excellence Lives Here!!
Gerald Pauling, President, HF Board of Education
Nathan Legardy, Board Vice-President
Pamela Jackson, Board Member
Ariana Leonard, Ed.D, Board Member
Camille O’Quin, Ed.D, Board Member
Christopher Riedel, Board Member
Tamekia Smith, Ed.D, Board Member
