Coach Calls Off Game Over Safety Concerns

A head football coach in Colorado Springs faced a difficult choice. He believed his players faced a real risk of racial abuse if they stepped onto the field against a rival school. The district, however, seemed to prefer a quiet approach. This tension played out over a single homecoming game that was ultimately never played.

The numbers tell a story of growing concern. The dispute traces back to a game on Sept. 24. By the time the forfeit was announced, reports of discriminatory behavior had come from two different schools. These incidents spanned three separate games and two levels of play. The high school activities association has since found that the language and behavior were not isolated events.

Waymond Jackson, a Black coach and dean at Air Academy High School, was the driving force behind the decision. He wrote to district leaders on Oct. 5, making his reasoning clear. He stated the issue was not about football, but about whether the kids were safe. He refused to knowingly send students, managers, and families into a setting where they might face abuse. He demanded a full investigation and real accountability before his team would play again.

The public explanation differed from the private emails. The school told the community that the Oct. 9 homecoming game was forfeited due to a lack of available coaches. No mention of racism appeared in that announcement. Players later said they supported the forfeit as a protest against conduct they witnessed at a previous game. They cited remarks like calling Black cheerleaders 'Harriet Tubman' and using slurs during a match against Sand Creek High School.

Jackson felt the district did not back his decision. He called the lack of support a slap in the face. He asked for the district to formally share the reason for the forfeit with the rival school and the state activities association. Instead, an assistant superintendent told the principal to respect Jackson's choice but keep it from staff and students. On Oct. 7, the principal confirmed that no coaches were willing to lead the team that Friday night.

The stakes remain high for both schools. The state activities association has threatened suspension unless Lutheran High School of Parker completes a corrective action plan. The school’s executive director said the institution condemns racism and will meet all requirements. A parent group at Lutheran has launched a fundraiser for security and legal costs, raising more than $53,000 toward a $500,000 goal. The team plays its first game since the controversy on Friday.

District communications chief Mark Belcher noted that individual emails may lack context. He said they do not always reflect the official position. Jackson has been told not to speak with the media. The situation highlights a gap between a coach’s desire for student safety and a district’s preference for administrative control.