Cleveland high school lacrosse player takes to field with swastika on his leg

A high school boys lacrosse player in Cleveland, Ohio, participated in a match Monday with a swastika drawn on his right calf, according to local media.

The incident prompted outrage among spectators and the schools, as his team, Mentor Lake Catholic, lost to the Orange High School boys lacrosse team 19-7.

The student emerged with the swastika on his leg at the beginning of the game but rubbed off the mark by the third quarter, one Orange high school student told Cleveland.com. The student, Rachel Glazer, had taken photos of the game that showed the swastika on the player’s leg.

Parents and visitors at the game also reported that a visitor used a racial slur toward the Orange high school team.

Orange superintendent Dr. Lynn Campbell confirmed the schools’ acknowledgement of the incident in a letter to parents, obtained Tuesday by Cleveland.com, and said that Lake Catholic was investigating the event.

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

A close-up of a Lake Catholic high school lacrosse player seen participating in a match May 16, 2022, with a swastika on his calf. (Rachel Glazer)

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, which presides over more than 185 parishes and 108 Catholic schools, issued a statement on Lake Catholic’s behalf, calling the alleged behavior “reprehensible” and apologizing to Orange for any damage the incident may have caused.

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