College says students yelled racist remarks at Howard University women’s lacrosse team

Presbyterian College said it is investigating an incident in which its students yelled racist remarks at Howard University’s women’s lacrosse team during a match. 

In a statement on Sunday, the private South Carolina-based liberal arts college said that an hour before its matchup against Howard, a group of Presbyterian students outside of the stadium yelled racist remarks toward the players and coaches. 

Presbyterian said its administration has begun gathering facts and reaching out to those directly impacted, adding those found responsible will face consequences for the reported actions. 

“First, let us be clear: No visitor to our campus should be subject to that kind of treatment, and this type of behavior is completely unacceptable. It is in no way aligned with the expectations and values of the college. We apologize to the Howard University women’s lacrosse coach and her players, and we deeply regret the experience they had on our campus,” the school said in a statement. 

“We must hold ourselves accountable and do better as a community to ensure all visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect.”

USA Lacrosse board member Brian Silcott wrote in a Twitter post that his wife, Karen Healy-Silcott, who coaches Howard’s women’s lacrosse team, was met with racial slurs coming from a group of male students at the game. 

In a statement to the Washington Post, a Howard University spokesperson said the school is conducting interviews about the incident. 

“I am deeply troubled that some of our student-athletes were subjected to slurs and abusive language before the women’s lacrosse match on Friday vs. Presbyterian College. Howard does not condone such disgraceful behavior in any form, and the use of harmful language such as this runs counter to the values of this institution, which celebrates respect, diversity, and inclusion on its campus,” said HU athletic director Kery Davis. 

“We appreciate Presbyterian College’s initial response, and demand a thorough investigation be launched. We condemn this deplorable behavior, and will continually support, defend, and protect our Bison,” Davis added.