Inquiries launched after Chinle players, fans report racial harassment at Coolidge playoff game
WINDOW ROCK
Arizona State Rep. Myron Tsosie (D-Chinle) and Delegate Andy Nez have initiated separate inquiries into an incident that occurred during a recent state playoff game between the Chinle and Coolidge boys basketball teams.
The two squads played in a highly contested quarterfinal game in the Arizona Interscholastic Association Boys Basketball 3A State Championship on Friday night at Coolidge High School.
“I have seen numerous messages from Chinle High School families and fans about the unfortunate events that happened on Friday night in Coolidge and at other high school games overseen by the Arizona Interscholastic Association,” Tsosie said in a statement. “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.”
According to Tsosie, the Chinle basketball players “were taunted, called racial abusive names and spit on,” following the conclusion of Chinle’s 64-53 loss.
“As a member of the state Legislature and a sitting member of the Chinle Unified School District Governing Board, I am collecting videos and witness statements and will be issuing a complaint to AIA officials next week,” Tsosie said. “This was unacceptable and clearly violates AIA’s harassment policy.”
Nez, who represents the Crystal, Fort Defiance, Red Lake, and Sawmill Chapter Houses, said videos that surfaced on social media following the game were very disturbing. One video, which allegedly depicts an unknown person spitting on a Chinle player, did not sit well with him.
“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 what the student-athlete endured was unacceptable. He reached out to fans who attended the game and asked them to send him content about what they witnessed.
“There were several people that emailed me about their testimonies on what occurred,” Nez said. “Over the weekend, I’ve been working on furnishing a report and that report is going to assist Mr. Tsosie in his meeting, but also on my behalf as a member of the Health, Education, and Human Service Committee and the 25th Navajo Nation Council.”
On Monday morning, the AIA released the following statement:
“The AIA is actively looking into the serious situation that occurred at the boys basketball playoff game between Chinle and Coolidge on Friday night. Reports are still being gathered from all parties.
“Pending results of the investigation, the AIA will use its Bylaws to address any findings. The association will not tolerate any discriminatory words or actions toward teams and fans. High school sporting events are times to bring communities together. Any actions to the contrary will be dealt with.”
Nez said he is hoping that the AIA will respond swiftly and in good faith with its investigation.
“Based on their findings, I think one of the options is to eliminate the (Coolidge) team because the videos clearly document exactly what happened,” he said. “What we saw in those videos were unacceptable. I mean, it’s definitely discrimination against our students and fans. There’s a lot of inequities involved.”
Nez also cited another incident involving the Phoenix Central boys basketball team, which includes Diné players John and Grant Mattingly. According to news reports, the two Central players left their Open Division second-round game against Phoenix Sandra Day O’ Conner after their mother, Jackie Mattingly, was allegedly threaten by school officials if she didn’t move to another section on Friday night.
“It’s racial profiling,” Nez said. “It’s unfortunate that we hear these types of circumstances that put our students and fans in jeopardy. We’re still in the 21st century, and we’re still in the Southwest where there’s predominately a lot of Native population and it’s ridiculous to think about what our students have to experience and endure because of their identity.
“That shouldn’t be the case and it’s one of the reasons to where I just had to intervene and do something,” he added.
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