The school has since backed down after there was an outpouring of support for the dad.
SHEFFIELD LAKE, Ohio – A parent of an Ohio high school student was banned from all athletic events in the school district for 2015 after he confronted students who were being disrespectful during the national anthem at a recent basketball game.
“Because of an incident that occurred on Friday January 12, 2015 at the varsity basketball game you were removed from the premises,” according to a letter sent to parent Justin Schill from Brookfield High School principal Angela Terella and the school’s athletic director, according to ABC 5.
“Due to the nature of the event and because students felt threatened, I regret to inform you that you are not permitted at athletic events at Brookside for the rest of the 2014-15 season.”
Schill told ABC witnessed several students sitting and laughing at the recent game and it “absolutely infuriated him” so he felt compelled to confront them.
So Schill posted the letter on a community Facebook page, and quickly received hundreds of comments, mostly in support of his efforts to instill respect in students for their country and condemnation for school officials for not backing him up.
“Wow this is absolutely the most outrageous thing I’ve ever seen,” Robert Taw posted in response. “I really can’t believe how soft this society has gotten. Those kids should of gotten kicked out for disrespecting our nation.”
Several others told ABC the same thing.
“He had every right to do what he did and the school should respect that,” resident Bridgette Zarelli told the news site.
“I mean, if anything, there should be a warning or something like that, but to be kicked out of games? That’s ridiculous. Ridiculous, Ashley Chenoweth.”
“The national anthem is something to be proud of,” Bob Lydon told ABC. “Take your hats off, put your hand over your heart and be respectful to the flag.”
School officials did not respond to ABC’s request for comment on the ban.
They did, however, meet with Schill to discuss the incident and agreed to reduce the ban to one game, according to the news site.
“In a follow-up Facebook post, Schill added that he applauds the school for doing the right thing,” ABC reports.