CAT Tracks for February 17, 2011
GOREVILLE STUDENT SUSPENDED


From the Southern Illinoisan...


Link to Original Story

Student suspended after racial slurs

The Goreville juvenile high school student accused of directing racial epithets at Cairo boys basketball players, coaches and cheerleaders after a game Monday has been suspended from school for 10 days.

Officials from both schools met separately today with Illinois High School Association Director Marty Hickman to discuss what happened Monday and are awaiting the IHSA's decision on whether or not Goreville will host a Class 1A basketball regional next week.

Dr. Steve Webb, Goreville's superintendent of schools, said there will be an increased law enforcement presence at tournament games should Goreville retain the regional.

Should both teams win their first-round games, top-seeded Goreville and No. 4 Cairo will meet in the second round of the regional at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. On Monday, Goreville plays No. 8 Dongola at 6 p.m. and Cairo plays No. 5 Cobden at 8:10 p.m.

Webb said IHSA officials received copies of video surveillance from school security cameras that showed no evidence of any un-toward behavior at the school.

"The problem seems to lie outside of town with the juvenile," Webb said.

The juvenile allegedly followed Cairo's bus as it made its way out of town after Monday's game and yelled racial slurs at passengers while flying a Confederate Flag on his truck.

Webb said the actions of the student embarrassed the school, "but, again, he's a young man, and hopefully he learns from his mistake."

Chief Eddie Holland said Goreville police will give an informational report on the incident to Johnson County State's Attorney Tricia Shelton when its investigation is complete. Shelton can then decide whether or not to file charges.