© Icon Sportswear/Getty Images Former SJU cheerleaders and dancers rushed to call the school about the alleged abuse. Sportswear icon / Fake images
- St. John's University received backlash for an Instagram post on Women's Sports Day.
- Fans say the school doesn't recognize the dedication of its cheerleaders and dance teams to women's sports.
- In response, Red Storm fans reportedly walked out of Wednesday's game against Seton Hall, according to reports.
During Wednesday night's basketball game, a group of cheerleaders called St. John's University said the school did not recognize its "Women's Sports Day."
According to St. John's University student newspaper The Torch, the Red Storm refused to play during a Division I men's basketball game against Seton Hall. The backlash came after the New York school left its cheer and dance teams in an Instagram post recognizing the school's all-girls sports teams.
In a tweet posted by The Torch's sports department, the staff member was seen wearing a red T-shirt with the words "We Are Women in Sports" written on the back.
February 1 is National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an annual event founded by the Women's Sports Foundation in 1987 to inspire "girls and women to play and be active to reach their full potential."
The Instagram post posted Wednesday was still live as of Friday and contained photos of various college women's teams, but no images of cheerleaders or dancing.
St. John's supporters and alumni shared their anger at the perceived disrespect in the comments of the post.
So disappointed as a @stjohnscheer graduate that you don't recognize these hardworking women. They participate in all activities required by the university. And also @sju_dance,” one user wrote.
The official St. John's Cheerleading team Instagram page created their own post dedicated to the Women in Sports Day cheerleaders. The post includes videos of Red Storm fans performing pyramid tricks and acrobatic skills.
St. John's did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, but told Fox News Thursday that "a social media post from the athletic department inadvertently omitted a Women in Sports celebration that was not identified or represented by our female fans." Dance group.
“The cheerleaders have expressed disappointment with this perceived conflict and are currently in active dialogue with the athletic department as they move forward. St. John's University appreciates the active and dedicated contributions of all our students, especially our student-athletes,” cheerleaders said. read the statement. .
