Officials from Triway Local Schools and Orrville City Schools are condemning racist and inappropriate social media posts circulating ahead of Friday night’s rivalry football game between the two schools.
Both districts issued statements Friday, Oct. 23, addressing the controversy, which involves social media posts made by a Triway student on Instagram.
Triway Local Schools acknowledged the posts in a statement, describing them as “blatantly hurtful and demeaning” and inconsistent with the district’s values and Student Code of Conduct.
“We do not and will not permit intolerant or discriminatory behavior that is racist, sexist, or homophobic,” the district said.
Triway officials confirmed that immediate disciplinary action is being taken against the student involved, although specific details were not released.
“We hold our students and staff to a high standard of behavior in our classrooms, in our hallways, on the field and online,” the district said. “This conduct does not meet that standard. The district is taking immediate disciplinary action, and our review is ongoing.”
The district emphasized that student privacy laws limit what officials can publicly disclose about disciplinary proceedings but said those restrictions do not diminish the seriousness of the situation.
Orrville City Schools Superintendent Dr. David M. Toth also addressed the controversy Friday, acknowledging that inappropriate and inflammatory messages have circulated ahead of the highly anticipated rivalry game.
“Some of the content that has circulated is deeply troubling,” Toth said. “This includes racist, sexually inappropriate, demeaning, and inflammatory messages. Regardless of who creates or shares it, this type of behavior has no place in our schools, our athletic programs, or our communities.”
Toth said Orrville officials are also addressing matters involving their own students in accordance with the district’s Student Code of Conduct. He did not provide details about those matters, citing student privacy requirements.
The superintendent confirmed he has been in communication with Triway’s superintendent and said both districts share the same concerns about the behavior surrounding the rivalry.
“Neither of us believes there is a place for racism, sexually inappropriate conduct, harassment, personal attacks, or inflammatory behavior connected to our schools or this rivalry,” Toth said.
According to Toth, the two districts are working together on a joint statement reinforcing their shared commitment to respectful behavior and sportsmanship.
Both school systems stressed that while the rivalry between Triway and Orrville is an important tradition for their communities, competition should never come at the expense of another student’s dignity or well-being.
“Rivalries can bring tremendous energy, tradition, and school spirit, but they should never come at the expense of another person’s dignity,” Toth said.
Triway officials reiterated that the safety and well-being of students, including those from opposing schools, remain a top priority.
“Every Triway student is expected to treat others with dignity and respect,” the district said. “We will continue to hold our students, and ourselves, to that expectation.”
As the two teams prepare to meet Friday night, Toth urged students, parents and community members to focus on the athletes and school organizations participating in the game rather than the controversy unfolding online.
“Tonight should be about our student athletes, cheerleaders, bands, students, families, and communities coming together for a great high school rivalry,” Toth said.
Both districts indicated that their reviews of the social media activity and any related disciplinary matters are continuing.
