The Altoona Area School District responded after an insensitive chant was made by students at their boys’ basketball game against Hollidaysburg Area High School.

Students appeared to chant “Ottaway’s Mom” in reference to Hollidaysburg player, Casey Ottaway. His mother died about two years ago.

The Altoona Area School District is apologizing for the students’ actions.

Altoona officials said once they were alerted to what the students were saying, the district’s athletic director ran over to stop the students. Officials said players and coaches apologized to the Hollidaysburg team and Ottaway. The athletic director also addressed the team in the locker room. 

One of Altoona’s players also went onto the Hollidaysburg bus to offer an additional apology. 

The district said that the students who started the chant haven’t been identified, but an investigation is ongoing. 

“We will continue and we always do. Anytime that there is any student misbehavior or incidents or concerns of misbehavior — we investigate it. We really do. I know sometimes people don’t believe that but we do. We take it seriously, and if there is anything to be found that is in violation of our student code of conduct. It addresses according to that student code of conduct,” Altoona Area School District Community Relations Director Paula Foreman said.

The district said they will be meeting with officials from Hollidaysburg about creating a student group with students from both districts to address how to continue having a healthy rivalry.

A special Altoona School Board meeting is being held Wednesday, but officials said it’s just to talk about the high school building project.