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PROVO — One of the longer running continuous rivalries in Utah high school football won't be played this year.
Timpview announced late Thursday night that its annual rivalry game with Provo had been canceled, Timpview High principal Momi Tu'ua confirmed to KSL.com.
Thunderbirds athletic director Wendy Anae added that the game will not be made up this season.
"As a TBird community, we do not tolerate these behaviors under any circumstances," Tu'ua wrote in a letter to her community obtained by KSL.com Friday morning. "I am deeply sorry, and I apologize to Provo High School's coaching staff, players, and community at large. ... I am saddened that some in our Timpview community chose to make others feel unsafe and undermined a rivalry that should be healthy and beneficial in bringing all of us together. I hope we can self-reflect and choose every day to be kind to each other."
In a statement released Friday, the Provo police department said that a school resource officer was notified by administrators of a social media post that contained a "personal threat made towards an individual and their family."
Provo police have initiated an investigation, and are working in conjunction with the school district in identifying a juvenile subject, according to a news release. The incident is being screened by the Utah County Attorney's Juvenile Division for potential charges, police say, adding that the department believes the "threat of violence" is "individually based, and not directed to the broader community."
In a separate letter to parents from the Provo School District superintendent, Wendy Dau mentioned social media posts that "threatened Provo High coaches, players and their families," noting that an active investigation was undertaken by Tu'ua, Provo High principal Kami Alvarez and assistant superintendent Darrell Jensen.
"I am disappointed and disheartened to see a high school rivalry devolve into this type of vitriol and hatred," Dau wrote. "Social media has emboldened us, as we believe we can hide behind anonymity or a digital face.
"We believe that it allows us to treat others with disdain because we do not have to see the consequences of our actions. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our actions impact others, and we must be responsible for the impact they have on our entire community."
Dau added that she was "saddened" that the annual rivalry game could not be played as a result.
"We need to step back and re-evaluate our priorities as a community," Dau said. "My hope is that this incident will encourage our students and our community to correct our actions and our thoughts and cultivate a rivalry that brings out a competitive spirit that respects the dignity of others and once again unites us."
Dau also said the school district was "working closely" with the Provo police department and the district leadership team "to ensure that appropriate consequences are carried out for those involved."
An email from Provo School District's Superintendent Wendy Dau regarding the cancelation of the Timpview vs. Provo football game tomorrow (Friday) night. pic.twitter.com/m8QdMD3CYU
— TimpviewSports (@timpviewsports) August 30, 2024
Thursday's junior varsity game between the two teams was also canceled. The announcement of Friday's cancellation came with a short statement on Instagram signed by Tu'ua that directed readers to an email for "more information."
The Thunderbirds had started 1-1 on the year to an 0-2 start for the Bulldogs, who lost its first two games to Brighton and Olympus by a combined 42 points.
The Bulldogs don't own a win over their crosstown rivals since 1989, but recently resumed the series after a three-year hiatus with Timpview's 21-13 win last year. The 2020 contest was also canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Provo will play next Friday, Sept. 6 at Salem Hills. The Thunderbirds travel to Centennial High in Corona, California, next weekend before returning home to open Region 7 play Sept. 13 against Springville.
