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.
The decision comes in the wake of a Class 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.
The next day, state Rep. Myron Tsosie, D-Chinle, said he had been contacted by community members who shared videos. He called for the AIA to investigate the matter, and on Feb. 23, the association, which oversees athletic competition for most Arizona high schools, said it was looking into the matter. Tsosie said he had received allegations the team was "taunted, called racially abusive names and spit on."
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AIA Executive Director Jim Dean told The Arizona Republic on Wednesday, Feb. 25, that the probation prevents teams from competing in postseason play and is effective immediately. It will last 365 days.
The decision vacates Coolidge's spot in the 3A semifinals. Snowflake was scheduled to play Coolidge on Friday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m., in a semifinal game. Snowflake now will move on to play the winner of the Tucson Palo Verde-Chandler Seton Catholic semifinal on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 3:45 p.m., at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the 3A championship.
"We will not tolerate any type of racial or discriminatory behavior," Dean told The 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."
Messages were sent to Coolidge Athletic Director Carlo Hernandez and head boys basketball coach David Glasgow, who did not immediately respond to the Arizona Republic.
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."
Probation in the AIA bylaws means all of the school's athletic teams are not eligible for the postseason for a year in every sport. But Coolidge can appeal the probation with the AIA Executive Board.
The AIA released a short statement early evening on Feb. 25 confirming the decision.
"The AIA and its member schools are committed to highest levels of respectful behavior from all of the participants at all AIA events," it said.
Tsosie issued a statement late Wednesday on the decision, which he directed to Chinle fans. It was posted on the Arizona House Democrats X account. In it, he thanked those who reached out to him, as well as Chinle Unified School District officials. Tsosie also serves on the district governing board. He also thanked the AIA for taking action.
"I hope that this is a lesson learned for ALL schools who are members of the AIA. Let’s continue to show POSITIVE sportsmanship & enjoy the sports our students enjoy participating in," he said in the statement.
