Watertown Shamrocks Condemn Racist Behavior, Apologize to Targeted Player
- Steve Jurrens
- Mar 9, 2025 Updated Mar 9, 2025
{KXLG – Watertown, SD} The Watertown Shamrocks, a team in the NAHL (North American Hockey League), have issued a strong statement condemning racist behavior by a group of fans during their recent game Saturday against the North Iowa Bulls. The organization announced that it had banned the individuals involved from its facilities and issued a sincere apology to the targeted player and the North Iowa Bulls organization. The swift response from the Shamrocks has garnered praise from parents and community members online.
According to the Shamrocks’ statement, the incident occurred “last night” during their contest against the North Iowa Bulls. Arena staff and team officials were alerted to a group of fans making “inappropriate and racial remarks” directed at a player from the visiting North Iowa Bulls, identified as Sangyeob Kim.
Officials at the game took swift action, removing the offending fans from the arena. The Shamrocks statement expressed gratitude to the game officials for their prompt response, stating, “We are very grateful and appreciative of last night’s officials for acting quickly to remove these people from our facility. These specific fans have been banned from our facilities.”
The Shamrocks organization also conveyed deep frustration with the incident. “While we are appreciative of the action taken, we are deeply frustrated with the actions from these fans and do not, in any way, condone this type of behavior,” they emphasized. They issued a direct apology: “The Watertown Shamrocks would like to sincerely apologize to Sangyeob Kim and the North Iowa organization for this incident.”
The team’s decisive action has resonated with the wider hockey community and local supporters. Social media responses to the Shamrocks’ statement have been overwhelmingly positive. One parent, wrote online, “As a parent of a player in this league I’m so impressed with your facility, your ownership, your fans, and now this! This is not acceptable. I think too many people forget that those players are just kids and no one should be talked to like this. Thanks for continuing to be a classy organization.”
Another comment echoed similar sentiments, specifically praising the game officials: “Thank you to the officials for removing them, this is not representative of our nice town and is not tolerated.”
Concluding their statement, the Shamrocks reiterated their commitment to inclusivity: “Hockey is for everyone.”
The Shamrocks’ actions, and the positive response from parents and community members, send a clear message that racist behavior will not be tolerated within their organization, at their games, or in their community.
