What began as an ugly incident between two Rochester, N.Y., area boys' lacrosse teams has turned into a call for change and an opportunity to educate student-athletes. In late April, two players from East Rochester High School made anti-Semitic remarks to players from Brighton High School, which has a large Jewish population. The players later apologized and further consequences were left to the school's administrators and coaches.

Once the investigation of the incident was complete and discipline was handed out, Brighton Superintendent Kevin McGowan saw an opportunity. He knew the problem was bigger than one isolated remark on a lacrosse field.

"We decided to look at the entire picture of taunting, teasing, trash talking, and basic lack of civil discourse," he says. "It's an issue that goes beyond the words used in this particular instance.

"Being a former athlete and coach myself, I certainly understand that emotions run high during athletic competition," McGowan continues. "But we also feel as though this whole arena of intolerant speech has reached a new level. We have an opportunity here to say it's not okay, and we're going to turn the tide with this generation of kids."

As McGowan delved into the issue, he found that similar incidents had happened for years, but weren't brought to light because an official never heard them on the field, which is necessary for action to be taken under New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) rules. "Officials can't hear everything," McGowan says. "In our classrooms, in the hallway, or anywhere else in school, a teacher or administrator doesn't need to have heard language to act on it. We follow up, we investigate, we discuss the issue, and we find a way to come to a solution that is productive.

"I realize in competition, the 'he said, she said' issue is prevalent," he continues. "But just because things are challenging doesn't mean we shouldn't take them on."

The first step was forming a committee through the Monroe County Athletic League (MCAL), comprising athletic directors, superintendents, principals, an officials' representative, and two community members. The goal for the committee is to construct policy recommendations by the fall season.

One possible approach would be changing the rule that requires an official to hear hate language for action to be taken. Another possibility is increasing punishments, such as suspensions from future contests. McGowan hopes the committee's actions will have an impact beyond the MCAL.

"We'd like our work on the issue to then filter to the section, which could filter to NYSPHSAA," he says. "But we thought it was most important to start with the teams closest to us."

The committee is also discussing the importance of educating all involved. "We have a great opportunity to teach here," McGowan says. "We want to develop a program that very clearly teaches kids about the harmful effects of intolerant language."

Another aspect being considered by McGowan is student leadership. Once the committee has an opportunity to develop something, he wants students to become part of the solution.

"I think that getting a group of students together who can lead this will be the most effective way to inspire change," McGowan says. "Students teaching each other can have an enormous impact, particularly when dealing with issues that are personal and can be so hurtful. They know this topic better than anybody and they can make a positive change for all of us."