MSHSL addressing racism at schools, sporting events

Racist incidents at Prior Lake High School, New Prague girls basketball and boys hockey games and in the Minnetonka girls basketball program have all made headlines in recent weeks and months. On Monday, the executive director of the Minnesota State High School League testified before the House Education Committee and promised his organization is addressing racism in all its forms.

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“These are attracting notice, social media notice, and so they are very visible and they’re concerning and we need to take action both at the local level, but also statewide to address those and make sure that our activities and events are safe and appropriate for everyone,” Erich Martens of the MSHSL told lawmakers.

Two of the schools involved, New Prague and Prior Lake, will have teams in the league’s highest-profile event, the Minnesota Boys State Hockey Tournament.

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Martens didn’t give a lot of specifics about what is being done but said the issue is being handled directly with schools involved in the recent incidents and more broadly.

“Together we will organize groups of students who will develop a model code of conduct for all schools,” he said. “The value of student voices is incredibly powerful in reaching classmates, staff and community members in this endeavor.”