`kindergarten Stuff' Leads To Grade A Feud At Meeting 
**see For The Record 1/15/98

Bar Scene Stealer: Watching Pittsburgh Lose 
After The Only Pa. Team 
In The Nfl Playoffs Lost, 
Many Area Football Fans 
Shifted Support To Denver And Qb John Elway

By P. DOUGLAS FILAROSKI; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Tuesday, January 13, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





PITTSTON- School officials say unruly fans crossed the line when they
taunted and slurred Jewish and black players during a recent girls basketball
game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The fans, all students at Seton Catholic High School, jeeringly sang Adam
Sandler's "Hanukkah Song" as a Jewish player from Wyoming Seminary went onto
the court to play. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The group played "Sweet Home Alabama," a song supporting the Confederate
South, on a music box as a black Seminary player stood on the free throw line. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And another black player said she believed someone directed the term
"monkey" at her during the game Thursday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Seton Catholic principal James Redington apologized to Seminary on Friday.
And on Monday, he said he decided to require the student fans to undergo
diversity training. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The students have been duly informed that such behavior in the name of
school spirit will not be tolerated," Redington said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We plan on bringing someone to work with the students, to develop a better
understanding of different races and ethnic backgrounds." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Redington did not identify the students, or the number involved, but said
several participated in the incidents. The game was played at Seton Catholic
in Pittston. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Coaches for both teams said they were not aware the slurs had occurred
until after the game, when players and parents began relating stories of the
zealous fans with the music box. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At one point, Seminary coach Agnes Cesare asked referees to confiscate the
music box because it violated Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic
Association rules. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Cesare said Monday she did not know fans had used the music box for racial
or ethnic slurs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I just can't believe in 1998, in the diverse world in which we live, that
this can happen," Cesare said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As for the apology, "We accept that," Cesare said. "We only hope that they
educate their students as well." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Seton Catholic coach Kathy Healey, who also apologized for the fans, said
the two teams had been involved in a rivalry. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thursday's game, which Seton won 55-45, was a heated contest. "We won, and
they lost, and there was a lot of tension there," she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Two weeks earlier, Seton Catholic won the Greater Pittston Area Holiday
Tournament 87-85 in a tough, double-overtime game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Healey said when she became aware of the incidents, she called Redington.
Cesare also called school officials. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Seminary dean David Davies called Redington on Friday to inform Redington
that the school's players felt "ethnically and racially harassed," Seminary
spokeswoman Mary Frances Forcier said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We know it's really tough to control the fans," Forcier said. "Seminary is
particularly sensitive because we have one of the most diverse student bodies
in the area." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Redington called Davies later on Friday to apologize. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Monday, Redington said the school held a meeting with students who
attended the game and identified "a group" which sang and played the songs
while taunting players. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The school is still trying to find out who made the "monkey" remark.
Redington did not say how that student would be punished. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I think it was something spurred on by the music they had and th

Racial Taunts At Game Called Foul Seton Catholic Principal James Redington Apologizes To Wyoming Seminary For Conduct Of Fans