ALMA, Ark. (KFSM) -- On Saturday (Sept. 7) the Alma School District posted a message on Facebook in response to a heated rivalry game against Van Buren.
The Van Buren Pointers hosted the Alma Airdales Friday night (Sept.6).
Parents who attended the game told 5NEWS the rivalry between the two schools became intense during the Friday night game.
"We were watching and Alma had had a few unsportsman like calls. I heard them eject a player and everyone kind of saw him turn to the Van Buren side and flip up the finger," said Van Buren parent Miranda Klohn.
After the game pictures were posted to Facebook of Alma band members cleaning up trash from the visitor side bleachers.
Many parents from both schools applauded the students who took part.
"I thought it was really classy that they did that. I thought it was really great," Klohn said. "Thank you Alma for doing that. I was really awesome of them to do."
On the Alma School District's Facebook page a post was made regarding the Friday night game. It was signed by the Superintendent David Woolly and the Principal Brian Kirkendoll.
The post read:
"Students, players and staff of Van Buren School District, please accept our apology for the inappropriate and unacceptable behavior of some of our students, players, and staff. This behavior will not be tolerated. We make no excuse for this behavior. Our two communities have years of history in our rivalry and we want to continue our friendly but competitive relationship. Please accept our apology and know that we take these behaviors seriously and are taking appropriate action."
Sincerely,
Brian Kirkendoll, Alma High School Principal
David Woolly, Alma School District Superintendent
I thought it was definitely a good move on their part. It was definitely a warranted apology. I think it's really great that their administration recognized that they had a wrong doing and wanted to make it right," Klohn said.
