Reedsburg Football Team Amish : In a surprising and concerning development, the Reedsburg High School football team has canceled its first two games of the 2024 season following allegations that some of its players were involved in harassing the local Amish community. This decision by the Reedsburg School District highlights the severity of the situation and underscores the school’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its athletic programs.
The Incident: Harassment of Amish Community
The controversy began when the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department received multiple reports of juveniles engaging in disruptive and harassing behavior toward the Amish community in the La Valle area. According to a redacted incident report shared with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the harassment took place over several nights in early August. The reported activities included setting off fireworks, shining bright lights into homes, honking air horns, banging on doors and windows, and running onto Amish properties.
On the night of August 11, at approximately 10:19 p.m., Sauk County deputies stopped a coal-powered diesel truck and a sedan in the area as part of their investigation. Inside the truck, officers found a visibly nervous minor passenger, used fireworks containers, empty beer cans, and a handful of flares. A further search revealed a smoke bomb and a black mask, items that had been reported by Amish community members in previous incidents. Some of the juveniles involved admitted to the harassment, with one noting that they targeted the Amish because they knew the community lacked surveillance cameras, making them “an easy target.”
Reedsburg School District’s Response
In response to the allegations, the Reedsburg School District confirmed that members of the football team were among the nine juveniles cited for disorderly conduct. Each juvenile received a fine of $213. The district expressed deep disappointment over the students’ actions, noting that the behavior was inconsistent with the values upheld by the school and its athletic programs.
“It is an understatement to say that we were disappointed to learn of the allegations against students enrolled in the District and participating in our athletic program,” the district stated in a press release dated August 27. The district also emphasized that not all football players were involved in the incidents, and clarified that disciplinary actions were taken within the athletic program, although specific details were not disclosed due to state and federal privacy laws.
Impact on the Football Season
As a result of the investigation, the Reedsburg High School football team canceled its season opener against River Valley on August 23 and a subsequent game against DeForest on August 30. These cancellations have undoubtedly disappointed the team and its supporters, especially given the struggles the team faced last season, finishing with a 1-8 record overall and 0-7 in the Mississippi Valley Conference.
Community Reaction and Moving Forward
The Reedsburg community, located about 16 miles southwest of Wisconsin Dells, is now grappling with the fallout from these incidents. The actions of a few have cast a shadow over the entire football program, prompting discussions about accountability, respect, and the values that should be instilled in young athletes. The Sauk County Sheriff’s Department continues to monitor the situation, though it has stated that other reported behaviors related to the case have been found to be unfounded.
As the football season progresses, the Reedsburg team will need to navigate the challenges posed by this controversy. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the impact that off-field behavior can have on a team and its reputation, and it underscores the importance of integrity and responsibility in all aspects of life.
Conclusion
The Reedsburg High School football team’s decision to cancel two games following allegations of harassment against the Amish community reflects the seriousness of the situation and the school district’s commitment to upholding its values. As more details emerge, the community is left to reflect on the broader implications of these actions and the lessons that can be learned from this unfortunate episode.
