Lake Catholic lacrosse player wears anti-Semitic symbol on leg during game against Orange

MENTOR, Ohio (WOIO) - A Lake Catholic lacrosse player painted a swastika on his leg prior to a playoff game against Orange High School on May 16, according to Orange City Schools Superintendent Dr. Lynn Campbell.

Players from the Orange lacrosse program saw the anti-Semitic symbol and spectators heard racial insults toward the team during the game, according to a letter from the school district.

“I have spoken to the President of Lake Catholic who shared that he and the Diocese are aware of the magnitude of this situation,” Campbell said. “He confirmed that they are addressing the incidents, and he is very apologetic and obviously, does not approve of these behaviors,” she continued.

Orange City School’s Board of Education “does not tolerate” discrimination or harassment, the letter said, which also confirmed that the district names safety as the district’s top priority.

“We understand the devastating impact these incidents have on our kids and our community,” Campbell said. “Therefore, our players will be informed about the support we have for them as they try to understand and process this incident.”

Rachel Glazer, an Orange High School senior, never imagined she’d experience anti-Semitism up close until she caught it on her camera at the game Monday night.

“It didn’t feel great,” admitted Glazer, who is Jewish. “I mean you see all these attacks with anti-Semitism in the news, but it doesn’t really feel real until you experience one yourself. I mean especially at Orange high school I really never would’ve thought that I would experience it especially here but I did but I’m really glad that it wasn’t by another Orange student.”

Glazer took photos that show what appears to be a swastika on the leg on a Lake Catholic player.

“I would just ask why like why is there hate? We’re in high school there’s no reason to be hating on students that you’ve never even met before,” Glazer said.

The Cleveland Catholic Diocese said Lake County High School administrators are aware of the allegations in a statement.

“The behaviors alleged are reprehensible and contrary to the Gospel values that Lake Catholic works so hard to promote,” the statement said.

The school is conducting an investigation and appropriate action will be taken to address the alleged incident, the statement said.

The Diocese and the school condemn anti-Semitism “in any form”, the statement said, extending their apologies to the Orange High School community for the alleged incident.

“I don’t know how someone, anyone could say, ‘oh that’s acceptable, it’s fine’,” said Glazer.

Glazer said during the incident the entire Orange High School community spoke up against the anti-Semitism.

“Everyone at Orange was saying even the people that weren’t Jewish were saying this isn’t right, this isn’t okay, and it felt good as a Jew from Orange to feel part of a community that I know supports me,” Glazer said.

Despite the incident, Orange ended up winning the game Monday night with a final score of 19-7.

“It’s kind of karma,” Glazer said.

“You know what goes around comes around. If you treat others badly you’re gonna do badly in life,” she concluded.

This story is ongoing and will be updated as new details are released.

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