The Arizona Interscholastic Association has placed Coolidge High School's entire athletic program on probation, effective immediately, for one year, following an investigation of a racially charged incident at a boys' playoff basketball game.
As reported by Richard Obert of The Arizona Republic, the decision comes in the wake of a 3A quarterfinal playoff game between Coolidge and visiting Chinle on Feb. 20, won by Coolidge, 64-53. Allegations surfaced that Coolidge fans directed racial taunts and even spit toward the Chinle players after the game. Chinle is located on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona.
Upon seeing videos of the incident the next day, state representative Myron Tsosie called for the AIA to investigate the matter. Tsosie said he had received allegations the team was "taunted, called racially abusive names and spit on."
AIA executive director Jim Dean told The Arizona Republic on Feb. 25, that the probation is effective immediately, preventing teams from competing in postseason play, and will last 365 days.
The decision vacates Coolidge's spot in the 3A semifinals.
Obert reported Thursday that Coolidge had appealed the ruling and lost.
"After listening to an attorney for the Coolidge Unified School District and superintendent Dawn Hodge argue that the punishment went too far, the AIA Executive Board held a closed-door executive session to discuss the matter," Obert wrote. "Afterward, the board voted unanimously to keep Coolidge sports teams on probation, effective immediately."
"We will not tolerate any type of racial or discriminatory behavior," Dean told The Arizona Republic earlier in the week. "There is no place in this world for the allegations that were made, if they're true. We are conducting a full investigation, absolutely."
The AIA board reviewed video from the game, Dean said.
"It came from a game feed from Coolidge High School on YouTube," Dean said. "And some of the allegations were not substantiated and some were."
Tsosie, who also serves on the district governing board, thanked the AIA for taking action.
"I hope that this is a lesson learned for ALL schools who are members of the AIA," Tsosie said in a statement Wednesday, as reported by The Arizona Republic. "Let’s continue to show POSITIVE sportsmanship & enjoy the sports our students enjoy participating in."
