Student fights broke out during the Pioneer-Huron rivalry football game Friday, Sept. 25, prompting a police response and a district-wide review of game-day safety.
Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) Superintendent Jazz Parks sent a message to families Saturday, Sept. 26, confirming that multiple physical altercations occurred among students during the game at Huron High School. Parks pushed back on rumors circulating online that a weapon had been involved, as first reported by MLive.
Parks wrote that neither the Ann Arbor Police Department nor AAPS found any evidence to support the weapons rumor. No gun or other weapon was involved in any of the altercations, she said.
Police officers on site worked with Huron staff to break up the fights, according to Parks. Many students were cleared from the stadium as a precaution, though many other spectators remained and the game continued. Officers maintained a presence in the stadium and parking lots for the rest of the game.
The altercations reportedly involved students from Pioneer, Huron and other unidentified school districts. What started the fights and how many students were involved remain unclear. An Ann Arbor Police Department spokesperson could not be reached Saturday, MLive reported.
Parks said the district is following established protocols, including what she described as appropriate restorative and disciplinary actions. AAPS is also working with all three Ann Arbor high schools, including Skyline, to reassess game-day protocols. Parks said school-sponsored events are community moments and the district wants them to feel that way for everyone in attendance.
The review comes ahead of another rivalry matchup. Pioneer is scheduled to host Skyline in its next game, while Huron travels to Saline.
On the field Friday, Pioneer beat Huron 34-20. Running back Aden Cerniglia rushed for a season-high 187 yards and three touchdowns and added an interception. Pioneer improved to 2-3 overall. Huron dropped to 1-4.
No timeline for the district's safety review has been announced.
