Michigan High School Basketball Game Stopped After Attendee Yelled Racial Slur at Student
Michigan High School Basketball Game Stopped After Attendee Yelled Racial Slur at Student
Charlotte PhillippSat, February 28, 2026 at 10:07 PM UTC
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Goodrich High School in MichiganCredit: Google Maps -
A Michigan superintendent is speaking out after a student yelled a racial slur during a high school basketball game
The incident occurred during a matchup between Goodrich High School and Kearsley High School on Feb. 17
A person sitting in Goodrich's student section shouted a racial slur as a Kearsley player attempted a free throw
A Michigan superintendent is speaking out after a student yelled a racial slur during a high school basketball game.
The incident, which was captured in a video that later garnered attention on social media, occurred during a game between Goodrich High School and Kearsley High School on Feb. 17, according to CBS News Detroit and WJRT.
During the home game at Goodrich, a person sitting in Goodrich's student section yelled a racial slur as a Kearsley player attempted a free throw. The person could be heard shouting the slur, as the surrounding crowd immediately gasped and voiced their displeasure.
MLive reported that the slur was also captured on audio recorded by a camera used for the game's broadcast on both the Michigan High School Athletic Association and National Federation of State High School Associations' websites. The video has since been removed, the outlet reported.
Basketball hoop (stock image)Credit: Getty
In a statement shared on Facebook on Feb. 24, Goodrich Area Schools Superintendent Mike Baszler addressed the incident and announced that the student — who has not been publicly identified — has been disciplined.
According to Baszler, the game was paused after the student shouted the slur, and the school's athletic director and administration addressed the Goodrich student section. The student did not immediately come forward, and the Goodrich student section was then removed from the game.
"Our Athletic Director and administration swiftly determined which student made the comment and addressed it in accordance with our student code of conduct," Baszler wrote on Facebook, though he did not share specifically what consequences the student faced.
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"We take matters like this seriously, which is why the student section was promptly removed, the matter was investigated, and the conduct was addressed. This action was taken to ensure the environment reflected the standards of sportsmanship and respect we expect at all Goodrich Area Schools events," he continued.
Speaking with PEOPLE, Kearsley Community Schools superintendent Paul Gaudard called the incident "incredibly unfortunate" and said that the two school districts have communicated in the aftermath of the student's racist remarks.
"I do feel they have taken it very seriously and are committed to ensuring it doesn't happen again," Gaudard shared, adding that Kearsley High School held a meeting with their own basketball team after the incident to check in with their students.
"We know how people could have been impacted by it," he continued. "It's a horrific thing for everybody. We really work hard at our school to build a climate of respect and community and respecting everybody. And so it was important for us to have those conversations."
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Goodrich superintendent Baszler added in his statement that his school district will continue educate students about appropriate conduct and "respect for others."
"We will continue to educate our students about the importance of sportsmanship, respect for others, and representing our school community with pride and integrity at all times," Baszler said.
on People
Source: “AOL Sports”