[ad_1]
VHSL said the number of hate speech, racial slurs and abusive language used in sporting games increased in 2024 versus the year before.
FAIRFAX, Va. — As high school athletes across Virginia return to the field this year, officials with the Virginia High School League (VHSL) are raising concerns about a troubling trend both on and off the field: rising hate speech incidents and persistent sports ejections.
According to data from VHSL, 520 varsity players were ejected during the 2024-25 school year, with most cases occurring in football and soccer. While that figure is consistent with the previous year, VHSL Executive Director Ty Gafford said the number remains too high and reflects a growing need for better sportsmanship.
“Sports are hard. Kids are competitive,” Gafford said. “But I do think that adults have to be intentional. They have to be focused on the right things.”
Reasons for ejections included rule violations and poor behavior, particularly in larger school divisions such as those in Northern Virginia, categorized as Class 6. Gafford noted that the size of these schools can sometimes make it more difficult for coaches to stay engaged on a daily basis.
“A lot of coaches are not in the building on a regular basis,” Gafford said. “So they don’t always get that immediate interaction with the athletic director when there’s an issue during a game or practice.”
Raising more concerns is the reported increase in incidents involving racial slurs and hate speech. VHSL data shows these cases nearly doubled over the past year, especially in football where it jumped from 25 to 45. There was also a slight uptick in foul or abusive language in football from 9 to 11.
“We need to make sure that we are placing the emphasis on all of us about making sure that kids understand that it’s just not appropriate,” Gafford said. “If that’s something emphasized regularly—daily, game by game, practice by practice—then it becomes a focus.”
Sports psychology coach Josh Burger said the behavior may be influenced by what young athletes see from professional players, as well as pressure from coaches who prioritize winning over conduct.
“There are different factors,” Burger said, “But one is that a lot of coaches prioritize winning over behavior and acting the right way.”
As the fall sports season kicks off, VHSL is calling for school leaders and communities to focus on building a culture of respect and accountability.
“Kids will do what you ask them to do,” Gafford said. “If you make it intentional, they’ll rise to that challenge.”
[ad_2]