Cheer for your team, but keep the harassment within reasonable bounds. (John Fisken photo)
For the second straight year, complaints have risen about the conduct of a student cheering section during a Coupeville High School volleyball match.
Unlike last year, when the complaint was directed at Wolf students and their choice of attire and chants, this year’s complaint concerns alleged sexually harassing remarks aimed at a CHS player by members of the Port Townsend student section during Tuesday’s game on the mainland.
Coupeville coaches confirmed a Wolf player exited the varsity match in the late going in tears.
While they were aware of loud, consistent verbal harassment from a group of PTHS students who occupied the front part of the stands, it was only later that coaches were made aware that comments directed at the player had been of a violent sexual nature.
If they had known during the match, CHS coaches say they would have stopped play immediately until the situation could be dealt with.
After the Wolf player told her parents about the incident on the way home, it was relayed to coaches and the two school’s athletic directors.
“Any incidents are reported to the Athletic Director and it is handled by the appropriate authority at the school,” said Coupeville Athletic Director Duane Baumann. “All sportsmanship and crowd issues are also talked about as a league at the monthly AD meetings.”
Port Townsend AD Scott Wilson responded strongly to the incident. His statement in full:
We cannot pinpoint which student was making any specific comment and naturally, no one claims to have heard it, even the adults who sat near the group of boys who were yelling.
I was at the game and periodically stood in that corner of the gym to check on the student section.
The Coupeville coach told me that someone was directing comments to her players, but she did not say what was said or who it was directed to.
I went back to the student section and once again told them to NOT talk to the opposing team and to only cheer for their team.
I wish that the player or coach would have told me at the time. I was right there and did not hear any specific comments directed at players.
That said, I received a phone call and an email in regards to what was allegedly said by one of our students. The comment is entirely inappropriate and certainly not acceptable.
I have met with each of those boys to investigate and to be clear about what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior as they sit in the stands.
I relayed the consequences for the behavior including suspension from school. We do not tolerate harassment of any kind.
As a member of the Olympic League, we follow the guidelines of sportsmanship and fair play as outlined in the Olympic League handbook.
On behalf of Port Townsend Athletics, I apologize for any inappropriate behavior and comments from a select few students who sat in our stands.
Their actions do not define the true character of the majority of our students who were appropriately cheering for their team.
Coupeville Sports 