Student-athletes at Connellsville will now be required to learn the importance of racial sensitivity after a Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) hearing panel ruled allegations of racial insensitivity toward Penn Hills players “credible.”

The final hearing was held Monday, and the panel released its decision Wednesday.

Similar allegations arose in Butler County earlier this month when Mars High School students were accused during a Pittsburgh radio program of shouting racial slurs at Penn Hills players during a Sept. 14 football game.

These accusations were quickly refuted by the school district, and no complaints were filed. Mars officials said they conducted an exhaustive investigation and found no evidence to support the claims.

While it was unable to confirm with certainty whether players or spectators from Connellsville directed racial slurs toward Penn Hills players, the panel found the preponderance of evidence provided by Penn Hills convincing.

“The Hearing Panel found the information and testimony offered by Penn Hills in support of the allegations to be reasonably credible,” a release from the WPIAL states. “The Hearing Panel therefore believes it is likely that at least some racial slurs or racially-insensitive comments were directed to a Penn Hills player or players during the Sept. 6, 2018, soccer match.”

The panel made it clear it believed any such wrongdoing was “likely isolated in nature” and did not represent or reflect Connellsville, its student-athletes, coaches or the school.

However, in light of the credibility of the accusations, Connellsville will now have to implement a new program to teach students about the importance of racial sensitivity.

“Consequently, Connellsville will be required to implement an Action Plan that includes the steps set forth in a Sept. 13, 2018, letter to the WPIAL board of directors,” the release states. “Additionally, and as a part of that Action Plan, Connellsville will engage an outside council to assist it in addressing and training its student-athletes regarding racial slurs and cultural sensitivity.”

The school must submit a letter to the board outlining the plan by Oct. 15.

“The WPIAL does not and will not tolerate any racial slurs or racially insensitive comments directed by any student-athlete or spectator or to any other student-athlete,” the release states. “Such behavior is offensive and undermines the values and principles that interscholastic athletics are intended to instill in student-athletes.”