AIA sidelines Coolidge athletics for a year after Chinle playoff complaints
Special to the Times | Reginald Chee
The Coolidge bench react to a play during an AIA 3A boys state quarterfinal game with the Chinle Wildcats on Friday, Feb. 20, at Coolidge High School. The Chinle players were alleged taunted following the Wildcats’ 64-53 loss.
WINDOW ROCK
The Arizona Interscholastic Association has placed the Coolidge High School athletic department on probation after reviewing complaints alleging racial taunts and other spectator misconduct directed at the Chinle boys basketball team during a recent 3A state playoff game.
Late Wednesday, the AIA stated it placed Coolidge athletics on probation effective immediately for 365 days. All Coolidge athletic teams will be ineligible for postseason competition during that period under AIA bylaws.
“Today the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Executive Board took the action of placing the athletic department of Coolidge High School on Probation effective immediately for 365 days,” the AIA wrote in a statement. “All Coolidge athletic teams will be ineligible for postseason competition during this time frame as per Bylaw 16.1. The AIA and its member schools are committed to highest levels of respectful behavior from all of the participants at all AIA events.”
The ruling removes Coolidge from postseason play, including its boys basketball run. Snowflake will advance in the 3A bracket and is scheduled to play in the 3A state championship game Saturday at 3:45 p.m. at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.
Local leaders criticized what they said Chinle players and fans experienced at Coolidge.
In a statement, Arizona state Rep. Myron Tsosie, D-Chinle, said the Wildcats “were taunted, called racial abusive names and spit on” following Chinle’s 64-53 loss.
Special to the Times | Reginald Chee
The Chinle boys basketball team react to a play during its game with the Coolidge Bears in the AIA 3A boys state quarterfinal game on Friday, Feb. 20, at Coolidge High School. The Chinle players were alleged taunted following the Wildcats’ 64-53 loss.
“Our students and fans should not have to endure this kind of behavior and be made to feel unsafe at what is supposed to be a fun, exciting and positive experience,” Tsosie said. “This was unacceptable and clearly violates AIA’s harassment policy.”
Delegate Andy Nez said videos circulating on social media were disturbing, including one video Nez said shows someone spitting on a Chinle player.
“Just by the body language you could clearly see that there was a moment where one of our student-athletes was spat on,” Nez said. “I understand that tensions get high, and there are disagreements, but when it comes to that form of response to our students that is where I draw the line at.”
Nez said he wants stronger safety protocols for the remainder of the state tournament as the Alchesay, Page, Tuba City and Window Rock girls teams travel to Phoenix for games Friday and Saturday.
In a statement dated Feb. 25, Coolidge Unified School District stated it disputes claims that the “game got out of control,” as described by the AIA during a meeting Wednesday with the association’s executive board.
“During the meeting, we were asked to present our account of how the game unfolded and how we responded to spectator behavior,” the district stated. “The AIA Executive Board reviewed video footage and highlighted specific instances involving Coolidge spectators, including alleged harassment of a Chinle spectator, students entering the court following the game, inappropriate use of belts by student spectators, and the allegation that an adult spectator spit on a Chinle player.
“We respectfully disagree that the game was out of control as characterized by the AIA, as most of these instances happened in the last ten seconds of play.”
The district also stated it disagrees with statements attributed to officials about what occurred during and after the game.
“The referenced statements indicating that officials complained of Coolidge fans using derogatory and racist language and were advised to remain in the locker room for an extended period due to postgame volatility and that Chinle players and coaches were instructed to exit in pairs due to safety concerns,” the district stated. “We, again, respectfully disagree with those characterizations and provided clarification during the meeting.”
Coolidge Unified School District said it believes the punishment is disproportionate and that it is considering legal action.
“We recognize the seriousness of this outcome and the significant impact it has on our student-athletes,” the district stated. “Immediately, we are asking for another meeting with the AIA Executive Board to discuss the information submitted. With the support of the Coolidge Unified School District Governing Board, we are currently consulting with legal counsel regarding next steps including the filing of an injunction and pursuing a formal appeal through the AIA process. We are also seeking guidance from community and state leaders, such as State Senator T.J. Shope and (Gila River Indian Community Gov.) Stephen R. Lewis, as we navigate this matter.”
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