Elon University Athletics is investigating a football player after accusations that he yelled racial slurs and curses at a North Carolina Central student during an away game Sept. 7.

NC Central freshman Samihya Love, who is Black, said she was watching from the stands when a white Elon player repeatedly shouted at her from the sidelines.

Associate Athletics Director of Strategic Communications Jason Knavel wrote in an email to Elon News Network that Elon Athletics is aware of the accusation and is looking into it. 

“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.”

Head coach Tony Trisciani, assistant football coach Casey Vance, Director of Player Personnel and Football Operations Dan Baranik and Vice President of Student Life Jon Dooley were not available for Elon News Network’s request for comment.

Elon News Network could not independently verify the identity of the football player. Following the game, Love posted on Instagram with her claims about the incident. In the post, she said this game was her first on the HBCU’s campus.


“It was just a matter of, why do I not feel safe on my own campus?” Love said. “Like at the end of the day, I just graduated high school, I'm an 18 year old. I've never had to deal with firsthand racism.”

As of 10:25 p.m. on Sept. 9, the post has 6,675 likes and 1,152 comments.

“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?”

Love said she hopes that people will be held responsible.

“I know a lot of times athletes are put on this pedestal to where they can do no wrong, because they make so much money for the school, or they do so much, and that overshadows the students who pay tuition, the students who have to live there,” Love said. “I just want to stop that. I want to stop that, ‘There's nothing you can do about this. It happens all the time.’”