A Jan. 30 hockey game between Weston and Wayland turned unruly when fans clashed outside the Rivers School rink where the game was held.
Weston police officers responded to the school and dispersed the crowd, but the event has had some apparently lasting consequences for student spectators.
On Friday, Weston High School Principal Anthony Parker read an announcement to students over the school's public address system that called the behavior at Wednesday's hockey game "appalling."
"Our once healthy and innocent competition with Wayland has turned ugly!," Parker's announcement said. It was released via the town's listserv in addition to being read over the PA. "Fueled in part by Facebook, we have crossed the line separating appropriate and fun competition to inappropriate and offensive behavior characterized by vulgar language, mocking, threats, and fighting."
Wayland Student Press Network reported that Weston students weren't the only ones to hear admonishments stemming from Wednesday's hockey game and that steps were specifically taken to avoid such clashes at Friday's basketball game between the rivals at Weston High School.
Weston Police Chief Steven Shaw told WSPN that some of his officers overheard students say, "We’ll get you on Friday," when they responded to the Jan. 30 hockey game.
For that reason, WSPN reports, administrators from both school districts opted to involved a larger-than-typical police presence at Friday's basketball game.
Extra police officers were dispatched to the parking lot and stands during and after the game, WCVB reports. Additionally, students from each school were directed to enter and exit the court via separate entrances and each student received a code of conduct upon entering.
WSPN reports that administrators have not determined whether the precautions will become a regular part of Wayland vs. Weston athletic events.
For more on this story, including quotes from students, see the WSPN article.
In This article
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Rivers School Conservatory
333 Winter St, Weston, MA (Blackwell House, The Rivers School Campus) -
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Weston High School
444 Wellesley St, Weston, MA
Isabella Jancourtz
11:44 am on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Just this morning I saw VB on FOX TV deploring the constant fighting at pro hockey games. These overpaid hooligans set a very bad example for our student athletes and ruin the enjoyment of the game. Can't something be done about this?
In the meantime, while I applaud Principal Anthony Parker's pro-active response, I do hope that all goes back to normal soon. Friendly aggression is part of any high school rivalry and should not be taken too seriously unless it threatens to become hostile, as unfortunately happened between Weston and Wayland hockey fans on January 30.
Perhaps the students involved in the fracas could do a public service announcement on their thoughts about violence at athletic events? If they do a good enough job with it, who knows, it might become required viewing at training camp and in the penalty box of every major league hockey team.