ETHS band and color guard members say New Trier fans directed racial and homophobic slurs at them during the Friday, Oct. 16, football game at Ryan Field. One student said she was spat on after the game, according to accounts reported by ABC7 Chicago.

The firsthand accounts emerged as parents, students and community members packed a New Trier Township High School District 203 board meeting Monday, Oct. 19, demanding accountability. As we reported Monday, Oct. 19, the two districts had announced a joint investigation the day before.

Kevin Watts, an ETHS color guard co-captain, told ABC7 that fans began screaming obscenities as the band walked onto the field. Watts said a fan then directed a homophobic slur at her.

Dakota Tabor, an ETHS band member, told ABC7 he witnessed the slur directed at Watts. A group of fans then repeatedly yelled a racial slur at him, Tabor said.

Ifeoluwa Dada, another ETHS band member, told ABC7 that fans threw trash and used racial slurs while telling band members to kill themselves.

A student whose parent asked that her name not be used told ABC7 that after the game, a person in New Trier gear told her to "go back to Africa" and spat on her.

Isaac Rochon, a sophomore saxophone player in the ETHS band, told Evanston Now that the harassment began while the band waited in the end zone near the New Trier student section before the pregame show. Rochon said he reported the behavior to the ETHS band director once pregame ended.

"I was too shocked to initially react," Rochon told Evanston Now.

Rochon said ETHS cheerleaders and Pom-Kits were also subjected to slurs. Band members were harassed again while walking to their bus after the game, he said.

At Monday's board meeting, Jennifer Sadler, Watts's mother, described what she said her daughter experienced, ABC7 reported. Sadler told board members her daughter was called racial and homophobic slurs and told to kill herself while the band prepared to perform. She urged the board to ensure students are safe at school events.

Sadler also said her daughter continues to face online bullying from New Trier students and community members, according to ABC7.

New Trier Superintendent Peter Tragos apologized publicly during the meeting. He acknowledged what he called "absolutely unacceptable behavior by our fans," ABC7 reported.

Amanda Nugent, a community member, told the board that some students had squandered a high-profile moment. About 27,000 fans attended the game at the new $870 million stadium, according to ABC7. New Trier won 42-28.

No individual fans have been publicly identified in connection with the allegations. Reine Hanna, ETHS communications director, told ABC7 there is no place for racism or homophobia at school events.

Both districts said the investigation remains ongoing and asked anyone with firsthand information to contact school administrators.