Coach cites racial safety in forfeit

A dispute over racial safety forced Air Academy High School to forfeit its homecoming football game this month. The school publicly cited a lack of available coaches, but internal records show head football coach Waymond Jackson based the decision on concerns about how Black students would be treated at Lutheran High School of Parker.

Jackson, a Black coach and dean, told district officials on Oct. 5 that the decision was not about football, but about whether students were safe. He wrote that he would not knowingly send players, managers, and families into an environment where they might face racial abuse. Jackson stated that Air Academy would only play if the allegations were fully investigated and addressed with concrete steps to prevent a repeat.

The controversy started after a Sept. 24 game between Lutheran and Sand Creek High School. Several Sand Creek cheerleaders and their coach reported that Lutheran students and community members made racist remarks and gestures. They said attendees called Black cheerleaders Harriet Tubman, used slurs, whipped belts toward them, and told them to go back to where they came from. Jackson also noted claims from Rampart High School staff that Lutheran players and parents directed slurs at Rampart families during other events.

Jackson said these reports came from two different schools across three games and two levels of play. He argued that the district needed to formally support the decision not to play and share that position with Lutheran and the Colorado High School Activities Association, or CHSAA.

District administrators appeared to want the matter kept quiet. In an Oct. 5 email, Air Academy flag football coach Barry Clark told a parent that the district would not back the school if it declined to play. Becky Harris, the district assistant superintendent for learning services, sent an email stating that Principal Amy Ripperger respected Jackson’s decision but directed him not to tell his staff or students. On Oct. 7, Ripperger wrote that zero coaches were willing to coach on Friday night.

The district released a statement on Oct. 8 saying it had worked with both schools to hold the game. It limited visiting fans to families of Lutheran players and added security. The statement said individual decisions affected the level of coaching participation available. District communications chief Mark Belcher said individual staff emails do not always reflect district positions and may lack context. Jackson told The Denver Post that he is not allowed to speak with the media.

CHSAA found that Lutheran spectators and participants used discriminatory language and behaviors across multiple football and basketball events. The organization threatened suspension unless the school completes a corrective action plan. Lutheran executive director Dan Gehrke said the school condemns racism and will meet every CHSAA requirement. He noted that Lutheran had offered a spectator plan and a head coaches meeting, and regretted that students lost the chance to compete. Coronado High School also forfeited its game against Lutheran.

Lutheran plays Montrose on Friday, its first game since the controversy emerged. A Lutheran parent coalition has launched an online fundraiser for security and legal action involving CHSAA, media outlets, and individuals who accused the school community of racism. As of Thursday, the group had raised more than $53,000 toward a $500,000 goal.