Topeka High School won't play Valley Center for a while. Here's what else will happen.
Topeka High School won't play Valley Center High School in sports until Topeka High administrators and athletic staff believe the atmosphere will be positive and safe for students.
The promise was made in an email to parents from Topeka Unified School District 501.
The action stemmed from a series of events Dec. 3 when the Topeka High basketball teams traveled to Valley Center for a regular season contest.
A player from the Topeka High girls basketball team — sophomore Jo'Mhara Benning — watched the boys game with her teammates in the stands. She shared a post after the game showing video of an inappropriate chant from Valley Center's student section, as well as a Black doll being waved at the Topeka High student section.
Coach Geo Lyons started a change.org petition calling for Valley Center fans to be removed from sporting events. In the petition, he said the Topeka High teams experienced outright racism, and referenced "racial slurs, threats and disgusting taunts. Players and spectators from Topeka High were called the N-word, threatened to be lynched and at one point a Topeka High player was taunted with the chant "He's a pussy!"
Benning's post and Lyons' petition gained national attention and led to a joint statement Wednesday from Topeka USD superintendent Tiffany Anderson and USD 262 superintendent Cory Gibson vowing to find out what happened.
"As superintendents, we are working jointly to address the issues and uncover the facts about what occurred so that inaccurate information and rumors are not circulated," Anderson and Gibson wrote. "The incident that occurred is concerning and we both need community support and grace to allow us to complete the investigation."
The investigation has ended, with principals on Friday pointing to disciplinary action against some students. The principals said while some information shared after the game was factual, other reports were exaggerated and/or inaccurate.
More:Topeka, Valley Center school districts investigate alleged racial taunts at basketball game
Topeka High and Valley Center principals issue joint statement
"As administrators at Topeka and Valley Center high schools have worked together following the basketball competition between the two schools on Saturday, December 3, 2022, the schools would like to issue a joint statement about our investigations and follow up actions.
"Administrators from both schools thoroughly investigated reports following the game that included reviewing game footage and collecting statements from attendees, and the information was shared between the two schools. After conducting the investigations, several students at Valley Center have received consequences for their behavior. Federal law (FERPA) prohibits the sharing of specific details regarding those consequences.
"Valley Center High School and Topeka High School would like to recognize the student-athletes for the manner in which they handled themselves during and immediately following the game given the circumstances. Additionally, Valley Center High School would like to, as previously stated, apologize for the students in the student section who acted inappropriately.
"Both schools acknowledge that although some information that began circulating following the game was factual, there have been numerous reports that are exaggerated and/or inaccurate. This has led to responses from both communities that have become inflamed and disappointing. This is not appropriate, does not provide for a productive environment where true change can occur, and is currently being addressed by the schools and communities appropriately.
"Valley Center and Topeka High Schools are committed to work together to repair the harm that has been done, and to take actions both separately and together that will lead to positive and productive change with regards to addressing sportsmanship and racism.
"We truly believe that this incident can be used by both schools and communities, to provide an opportunity for education, growth and partnership."
Topeka High basketball coach reacts to resolution of the investigation
Topeka High boys basketball Geo Lyons on the days following the incident: The next couple of days were rough, but also good if that makes sense. It was rough because, even to this day, there's still some confusion amongst the boys. They are 14 to 18 years old, (it's) something they've never experienced before so it was shocking to them. You know they've heard stories of racism and things like that, but then once it actually happened, we're still trying to answer the question, why us?
On the flip side, the reason why I say it was good is because Topeka High is a special place. People have wrapped their arms around these young men. Everybody has been supportive from the student body to every piece of the staff.
The first message that I gave to the boys was to let them know that it's OK to not be OK. For the first three days after, for practice, we started practice with, where are you at today? We've actually sat down and we talked about it, we've made it a must to always talk and continue to talk.
Lyons on the support from the district: Our district and our principal, as much as possible, kept me in the loop. I understand that there are things that I'm not privy to and that they have a system in place where they have to go about things
Lyons on his Change.org petition that has garnered national attention: With the petition, that was me. I'm in the here and now and I want it now, that's what (the petition) was. My comments and my actions aren't to slap at (the administrations) because they've got their job to do. What I'm doing is how I'm going about things.
Lyons on his reaction to Friday's joint statement from both districts: They've got to go through their proper channels of handling things. I'm still going to advocate for the changes that I would like to see made. And that's not a knock to whatever the districts have come up with or any of that. This is just me personally on what I think needs to take place to really see the change that we're all asking for. I'm gonna keep advocating for those things, but making sure that's not coming from a place of anger or anything like that.
I still think we're early in the process and I still am going to fight for some evidence of actions that are taking place.
What's next?
In addition to Friday's joint statement, USD 501 emailed parents to share the following actions taken by the district.
We have asked Valley Center to take appropriate discipline measures towards any student who participated in the inappropriate behaviors from the incident Saturday and they have confirmed they have done so and the principal and superintendent have apologized for the incident following the game.
No further basketball games will occur between the two schools until Topeka High administration and athletic staff feels the conditions will be positive and safe for our students.
We are requesting Kansas State High School Activities Association ensure they enforce Rule 52- Sportsmanship Interpretations, and work with officials and school administration throughout the state in this endeavor.
Valley Center and Topeka high schools are committed to work together to repair the harm that has been done, and to take actions both separately and together that will lead to positive and productive change with regards to addressing sportsmanship and racism.
Topeka Public Schools has an ongoing relationship with Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center, university partners and other organizations to address equity and diversity training and to empower students with how to respond in any situation in which they are confronted with offensive behaviors or racism. We will continue those partnerships and we welcome Valley Center in partnering to use those resources as well.
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This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka High and Valley Center ends investigation, puts games on hold
