The family of a star high school football player claims their son was the target of racial slurs and intentionally injured in a playoff game Friday night.
Steel Valley running back Nijhay Burt, who leads the WPIAL in rushing, suffered a season-ending injury Friday during the team's game against South Side Beaver.
Burt's mother Shawntay Parms did not want to do a recorded interview, but shared with News Radio KDKA the letter she sent to the WPIAL following the alleged incident. In the letter, she claims South Side Beaver players intentionally twisted her son's ankle and shouted racial slurs at him.
"I would like the WPIAL along with the schools superintendent, athletic director to look into this," she wrote.
WPIAL executive director Amy Scheuneman told News Radio KDKA they are looking into it.
"We are waiting for final reports to be submitted," she said. "Once everything is received we will evaluate the next appropriate steps to address the situation."
In a statement, South Side Area School District superintendent Alan Fritz said they take the allegations seriously and have also launched an independent investigation.
"The South Side Area School District has received information regarding matters arising at the Steel Valley/South Side playoff game Friday November 12, 2021. The District is also aware of matters which occurred at the game.
The School District takes these issues very seriously and has begun an independent investigation of all aspects of the game. The District will review the findings of the investigation which will be done by CSI Corporate Security and Investigations and will take appropriate action based upon those findings."
Steel Valley superintendent Edward Wehrer said in a statement the district submitted a report to the WPIAL.
"Steel Valley and South Side played a hard-fought game on Friday night. Unfortunately, after the game concluded, Steel Valley administration received reports of racial bigotry and unsportsmanlike play directed against our players throughout the game. After investigating the allegations Monday morning, Steel Valley administration filed a report with the WPIAL.
"I want to state emphatically that racism has no place in interscholastic athletics, nor should it be tolerated in any part of our society. We are extremely proud of our diversity and our heritage at Steel Valley, and Friday night did nothing to change that. #IronmenPride"