Football games can get intense, especially when the score is tight and emotions are running high.
At Kenmore West High School in Tonawanda, New York, one parent’s passionate cheering turned into a heated moment that led to a season-long ban from all football events.
Diane DeValentino shared the story on Facebook, explaining how her daughter was removed from a game and barred from supporting her son, a senior player.
The incident has sparked a debate in the community about fan behavior, school policies, and fairness.
The incident happened during the Kenmore West Blue Devils’ varsity football game against the West Seneca West Warhawks on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
The game, held at Kenmore West’s home field, started strong for the Blue Devils but took a frustrating turn.
According to sources like MaxPreps and NFHS Network, West Seneca West staged a comeback to win 36-28, leaving Kenmore West with a 1-1 record and the Warhawks at 2-0.
In the final minutes of this close game, Diane’s daughter, a vocal supporter of the team, got loud from the bleachers.
She expressed frustration over some poor plays, including a short-thrown interception meant for her son, but didn’t use any vulgar language.
The head coach, whose identity hasn’t been shared publicly, shouted back at her to be quiet and leave.
He then called security and on-site police to have her escorted out.
Diane says her daughter agreed to leave, told them it was fine, and walked away on her own without any further issues.
“She was NOT aggressive or combative to security or the police officer. They did not even leave the Field or come in contact with her. She left on her own.”
Via Facebook
On Sunday, Diane’s daughter reached out to Sabatino Cimato, the superintendent of the Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District, to request a meeting about the incident.
Cimato, who has led the district of about 6,500 students since 2018, denied the request on Monday.
Later that day, around 3:30 p.m., a letter arrived via Foxy Delivery service stating that Diane’s daughter violated the district’s Civility Policy, known as Policy 3180.
This policy, available on the KTUFSD website, requires school staff and the public to treat one another with respect in order to maintain a safe and positive environment at school events, including sports.
The letter claimed she screamed directly at the coach from the bleachers and acted aggressively and combatively toward police and security when asked to leave.
As a result, she was banned from attending any football practices or games for the entire season.
Diane strongly disagrees with the letter’s claims, insisting her daughter was not aggressive or combative and left the game voluntarily without any direct contact with security or police.
She believes the superintendent relied solely on the coach’s account without conducting further investigation.
In her Facebook post, shared in the local group “What’s going on IN the Town of Tonawanda?“, Diane asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Cimato and set the record straight.
She noted that footage on Hudl Fan, a platform for streaming high school sports, captures the yelling and could support her daughter’s side of the story.
Diane wrote,
“email or call Mr. Sabatino Cimato and tell him he was wrong and next time should not take the word of just the person making the complaint, but make sure he gets the true facts and investigates. Look at both sides not one.”
Via Facebook
She further said:
“She loves the kids and supports them. Her son is a Senior and what a shame it would be if the truth did not come out and she could not see him play.”
Via Facebook
The Post Sparked Mixed Reactions, with Some Parents Defending Diane’s Daughter
Danielle Afrifa commented,
“Who doesn’t yell at a football game? Lmaoo do you see Sean McDermott getting his panties in a bunch over people criticizing his coaching? She was screaming to the team about the interception they just threw (which her son was suppose to be on the receiving end but the QB threw short). She didn’t speak to the coach directly til he told her to shut up.”
Via Facebook
Another supporter, Madonna Patchett, who was at the game but didn’t see the incident, wrote,
“That woman is one of the teams biggest and loudest cheerleaders she always supports this team. Her son is a phenomenal player and if the team ran other plays once and a while her son could catch his dang breath without looking like he was being pounded in2 the turf this incident could likely been prevented.”
Via Facebook
Others were less sympathetic. Dave Metzger called it a “teachable moment,” saying,
“You said it yourself that she ‘got loud and yelled’ regardless of it not being ‘vulgar’ but just ‘passionate’ or whatever other adjective you want to use perhaps it would have been better suited for her to STFU and everything would be just fine…but she didn’t and it’s not so let her eat it and chalk it up to a lesson learned.”
Via Facebook
Jeff Caruana was harsher, commenting,
“Maybe next time she won’t make an ass out of herself and keep her mouth shut…..oh wait there won’t be a next time. And mommy defending a grown child online for her actions isn’t really the best option. It makes you look like an entitled douche.”
Via Facebook
Barbara Ann focused on the core issue, writing,
“Doesn’t matter your opinion, at this point. Basically, forgetting her yelling, did she become combative or leave on her own. Funny how they escalate the scenario when the truth is entirely different.”
Via Facebook
As of September 16, 2025, there has been no comment from the head coach or the Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District on the incident.
This issue reflects a broader concern about parent behavior at youth sports events nationwide.
Diane’s family feels the ban is unfair. Her daughter has been a loyal supporter of the Blue Devils, especially during her son’s final year of high school football.
Missing these games is a significant loss for them.
The community now hopes witnesses will come forward or that the district will reconsider its decision.
This incident shows how easily passionate support can cross into disruptive behavior, impacting families and fans alike.
Coach got his panties in a bunch? Omg people yell at a football game? He’s acting like a junior school girl. No wonder they lost!!!