The episode during a game between Upper Darby and Lower Merion set off concern among parents, quick action by school officials, and an apology to Lower Merion from Upper Darby's school superintendent.
The chants came from a few teenagers among several hundred spectators in Upper Darby High's gym during the last half of the boys' basketball game.
Two Lower Merion parents in the stands said they had heard spectators chant, "Warm up the ovens."
A third Lower Merion parent said he had heard similar words chanted for about 20 seconds. All three parents asked not to be identified by name.
"There was a pretty spirited back-and-forth between the two sections," said Douglas Young, Lower Merion district spokesman. "At one juncture, there were some really offensive things said by what appeared to be a small group of [Upper Darby] students.
"Young, who was not at the game, said he, too, had been told that students chanted, "Warm up the ovens."
Witnesses said the razzing had been mild and mutual at first - Lower Merion's supporters chanting, "Merry Christmas," and Upper Darby's replying, "Happy Hanukkah." Another Lower Merion chant: "SAT scores!" followed with rhythmic clapping.
Some Lower Merion fans' signs read "Lower Merion vs. Upper Dirty," said Eric Jackson, 17, an Upper Darby senior.
"I got pretty offended when they chanted 'SAT scores,' said Jackson, interviewed last night at a home game against Haverford High. But he added, "It didn't compare with what this side said.
"He said he had heard the "oven" chant and hadn't joined in. "That's wrong to say that."
The chants came from a few teenagers among several hundred spectators in Upper Darby High's gym during the last half of the boys' basketball game.
Two Lower Merion parents in the stands said they had heard spectators chant, "Warm up the ovens."
A third Lower Merion parent said he had heard similar words chanted for about 20 seconds. All three parents asked not to be identified by name.
"There was a pretty spirited back-and-forth between the two sections," said Douglas Young, Lower Merion district spokesman. "At one juncture, there were some really offensive things said by what appeared to be a small group of [Upper Darby] students.
"Young, who was not at the game, said he, too, had been told that students chanted, "Warm up the ovens."
Witnesses said the razzing had been mild and mutual at first - Lower Merion's supporters chanting, "Merry Christmas," and Upper Darby's replying, "Happy Hanukkah." Another Lower Merion chant: "SAT scores!" followed with rhythmic clapping.
Some Lower Merion fans' signs read "Lower Merion vs. Upper Dirty," said Eric Jackson, 17, an Upper Darby senior.
"I got pretty offended when they chanted 'SAT scores,' said Jackson, interviewed last night at a home game against Haverford High. But he added, "It didn't compare with what this side said.
"He said he had heard the "oven" chant and hadn't joined in. "That's wrong to say that."
The two Lower Merion parents who sat near the Upper Darby fans section said they also had heard, "You're so Jewish, get your yarmulke,"and, "We'll write you letters when you're in Auschwitz" - and shouted at the teens to stop.
Wow...
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