Hoffert says protocols will change after dispute with high school cheer block
Posted
Michael Anderson-manderson@timesuniononline.com
Dr. David Hoffert, superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, admitted students were told not wear American apparel to Friday’s night football game against Plymouth.
Hoffert apologized for the hurtful comments to the students and the community.
In a statement, he said, “Upon investigation on Tuesday after the Labor Day weekend, there were mistakes that took place leading up to Friday’s game. Military Armed Services Night was intended to be a patriotic display honoring our men and women in the Armed Services. The color for the evening was camouflage. Our school board policy sets a dress code that does not prohibit patriotic clothing or the colors of red, white and blue.
“Statements leading up to the game stressed the theme, which included wearing camouflage, military flag and designs, and unfortunately also included some statements not to wear red, white or blue or bring the American flag. These statements by a select individual were not intended to be unpatriotic, but instead to focus the cheer block on the intended theme of the evening. It is fully understood the wrong and hurtful communication that was delivered to our students and community, and for this we sincerely apologize.
“Protocols are being put in place to safeguard against a similar situation from occurring again in the future,” he said.
The statement was the third statement sent out by Hoffert since the controversy began Friday. He apologized earlier in his second statement.
Lucas Harvey, a cheer block leader, said WCS could have avoided the dilemma by admitting its mistake in the first place instead of “dancing around the situation.”
Hoffert’s statement did not name the “select individual” who told students not to wear patriotic colors.
Multiple students who were present told the Times-Union on Monday the announcement was made by Athletic Director Dave Anson during lunch periods on Friday.
Students reported Anson read the announcement from a phone.
Anson told the students that if they wore red, white or blue or an American flag, they would be removed from watching the game.
Hoffert declined to give any details about the protocols that are being in put the place to prevent it from happening again or to answer any questions about Friday’s events.
The military theme night came as a concession between cheer block leaders and school officials.
Cheer block leaders wanted an American night as had been done in the past.
School officials nixed that theme for Friday’s game, due to some bad behavior by students a year ago at a game against Elkhart Memorial.
“I wish the school system would have given us a chance to prove that we were not last year’s group. We made it clear it would not be a political statement, but an American statement. I am looking to move forward with WCS and WCHS in order to maintain a good relationship between (the) student body and administration,” Harvey said.
The next home game is Sept. 15 against Northridge where the cheer block theme is listed as “Country Club.”
