Overview
- The AIA placed Coolidge High’s entire athletic program on 365-day probation, making all teams ineligible for postseason play effective immediately.
- The decision followed a review of game video from a Coolidge YouTube feed, with the AIA saying some harassment allegations were substantiated and others were not.
- Reported claims included racial slurs, spitting toward a Chinle player, threatening gestures and alleged belt intimidation, with accounts that Chinle players feared for their safety.
- Coolidge Unified has disputed the punishment as disproportionate and is pursuing an appeal and potential legal action, including a possible injunction.
- An AIA Executive Board hearing was set for Thursday at 1:30 p.m., and a successful appeal could reinstate the Feb. 27 semifinal vs. Snowflake that the ruling had skipped by sending Snowflake to the championship game.