Coolidge High School sports teams ineligible for postseason for 1 year after racism allegations

PHOENIX — Coolidge High School’s entire athletics program has been ruled ineligible for postseason play for the next year following allegations of racist behavior at a Feb. 20 state playoff basketball game.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association imposed the one‑year probation on Wednesday after state Rep. Myron Tsosie, whose district includes the Chinle area, requested an investigation into the reports.

“The AIA and its member schools are committed to highest levels of respectful behavior from all of the participants at all AIA events,” AIA spokesperson Seth Polansky said in the announcement.

Details about racism allegations involving Coolidge High School

Members of the Chinle boys’ basketball team allegedly were spit on and to subjected to racial slurs and taunts during their playoff loss to Coolidge. Chinle is a Navajo Nation community in Apache County.

Tsosie said he took action after seeing messages from the community and videos from the game.

“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,” he said in a statement the day after the game. “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.”

The Coolidge Unified School District acknowledged reports that some of its fans used derogatory and racist language and that Chinle players and coaches were advised to leave in pairs for safety. However, district officials said they “respectfully disagree” with how the situation has been characterized and are consulting legal counsel.

The district also said it was exploring legal options, including an injunction and a formal appeal. It submitted an action plan outlining steps to improve supervision and reinforce expectations for sportsmanship.

An emergency appeals hearing was held on Thursday, when the AIA Executive Board voted to uphold Coolidge High School’s probation.

“Also in its vote, the Executive Board agreed to revisit the school’s ‘probation’ status at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 20. Coolidge will follow a corrective action plan that AIA administration will monitor between now and the April meeting,” Polansky, the AIA spokesperson, said in a statement.

State representative calls for better sportsmanship following basketball game

Coolidge would have faced Snowflake High in the Class 3A state semifinals after beating Chinle, but instead Snowflake gets a bye into Saturday’s championship game.

“I want to say THANK YOU to all the fans who reached out with their statements, pictures and videos regarding the disrespectful behaviors that took place during the Chinle and Coolidge game,” Tsosie said in a Wednesday statement following the AIA’s announcement.

“Many of our fans and athletes have endured this type of behavior for many years and have fallen upon deaf ears,” he added. “Let’s continue to show POSITIVE sportsmanship and enjoy the sports our students enjoy participating in.”

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