An HBCU student says she was the target of curses and racial slurs at the recent North Carolina Central – Elon game.
Samihya Love, a freshman at NC Central, claims that linebacker Marco Patierno used slurs against her during the game between NCCU and Elon.
Elon Associate Athletics Director of Strategic Communications Jason Knavel wrote an email to Elon News stating that the school was aware of the accusations and investigating them.
“We are aware of the allegations about comments made during Elon’s recent football game. We are looking into this incident and any substantiated allegations will be addressed appropriately by the university,” Knavel wrote. “Elon University is a community based on a strong commitment to inclusivity and belonging, and intolerant behavior and comments have no place here.”
The 18-year-old said Saturday was her first game at North Carolina Central, and she was disturbed that this was her experience at her HBCU.
“A lot of people are saying in my comments and stuff that this had to be provoked by me, or something like that, which I just find outlandish, that it always has to be the angry Black woman narrative,” Love said. “Why can’t y’all just believe that I was there enjoying the game, and one of y’all’s players got upset to the point where he spout racial slurs at me?”
Patierno is from Wake Forest, NC. He was named to the Jerry Rice Award watch list as a freshman last season.