Schools

Rye Students Suspected of Taking Rivalry Too Far

School officials suspect Rye High School students may have gotten carried away with the football rivalry between the two schools.

A sexually explicit drawing and the final score of this year's Rye-Harrison football game greeted school officials as they arrived at Harrison High School early Friday morning—it's not the way Principal James Ruck wanted to start his morning.

Given the graffiti's connection to the Rye-Harrison football game, it's likely the culprits are from nearby Rye High School.

"It's just inappropriate," said Ruck. "When they think they're doing something great, they're actually embarrassing their school."

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The graffiti was painted sometime Thursday night or early Friday on a rock at the school's entryway. The rock is a place where students paint pictures and words supporting the hometown Huskies. There is also a memorial for a Harrison student and football player who died years ago.

The rocks have long been a source of pride for students at the school.

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The level of maturity is obviously low," Ruck said of whoever painted on the rock. "It's an embarrassment to the good people of Rye."

School officials took photos of the vandalism before painting over it this morning; they will share their findings with police. The sexually inappropriate drawing was covered quickly so students and teachers wouldn't have to look at it on their way to class.

Ruck said if the vandals are found the district will press charges.

Rye defeated Harrison 17-7 in this year's game between the schools. Harrison hasn't beaten Rye since 2002. But Ruck said a winning streak on the field is no excuse for embarrassing behavior off it.

"If you can't win with dignity I don't know how you're going to lose with dignity," Ruck said. "There's a long rivalry between these teams and someone got carried away."


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