A Utah high school football game has been canceled while officials investigate social media posts that “spewed hate and violence” toward a rival school, its players, coaches and their families.
In an email sent late Thursday night, Timpview High School principal Momi Tu’ua announced she was calling off Friday’s game against Provo High.
“Due to the events this afternoon and the lack of time to investigate and intervene where necessary, I have decided to cancel tomorrow night’s football game,” the email stated. “I cannot ensure the safety of our entire community — both physical and emotional safety.”
Provo police were asked to investigate “a personal threat made towards an individual and their family” in the comments of an online post. Police said the threat was traced back to a juvenile suspect and the matter would be screened by the Utah County Attorney’s juvenile division for possible charges.
“We believe the threat of violence to be individually based, and not directed to the broader community,” Provo police said in the release.
Tu’ua’s email stated that the messages directed at the Provo High football team “appear to have come from Timpview” and violated Provo City School District’s bullying, harassment and hazing policy.
“I am saddened that some in our Timpview community chose to make others feel unsafe and undermined a rivalry that should be healthy and beneficial in bringing all of us together,” the email said. “I hope we can self-reflect and choose every day to be kind to each other. This is a choice that will never have a negative consequence when we extend it to others and ourselves.”
The school district said there are currently no plans to make up the game.
“My heart goes out to the families and individuals who were named in these posts,” Provo City School District Superintendent Wendy Dau wrote in a separate email Thursday. “No one should ever have their safety threatened, particularly within the confines of our school community.”
Dau’s email called for reflection on social media use and the schools’ rivalry game.
“I am disappointed and disheartened to see a high school rivalry devolve into this type of vitriol and hatred,” the email stated. “Social media has emboldened us, as we believe we can hide behind anonymity or a digital face. We believe that it allows us to treat others with disdain because we do not have to see the consequences of our actions. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our actions impact others, and we must be responsible for the impact they have on our entire community.
“I am saddened that we cannot move forward with this traditional rivalry game. We need to step back and re-evaluate our priorities as a community. My hope is that this incident will encourage our students and our community to correct our actions and our thoughts and cultivate a rivalry that brings out a competitive spirit that respects the dignity of others and once again unites us.”