Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado, has been placed on probation by the Colorado High School Activities Association after allegations that racist and discriminatory language and behavior occurred at its athletic events. The probation, announced Thursday, took effect immediately and lasts at least 12 months. The school now faces possible suspension of its CHSAA membership.
The allegations trace back to football games last month involving Sand Creek and Rampart High Schools, both from the Colorado Springs area. Students and parents from those schools said their players were subjected to racial abuse while playing at Lutheran.
CHSAA said in a statement that it determined “racist and discriminatory language and unacceptable behavior occurred at Lutheran athletic events.”
“Racism and discrimination have no place in our schools or at our events. CHSAA takes sportsmanship, crowd control and the treatment of every participant at our events seriously, and every member school is responsible for the conduct of its coaches, players and spectators.”
Two schools, Air Academy and Coronado High School, have already forfeited their scheduled games against Lutheran rather than play the program while the matter is unresolved.
Lutheran High School has pushed back on the timing of CHSAA’s decision, saying it had not finished its own investigation into what happened. Executive Director Dan Gehrke laid out the school’s position in a letter to parents.
“Lutheran High School condemns racism in any form, and we will complete every requirement CHSAA has set. We are disappointed that CHSAA reached its determination before our own review is complete and before it could consider our findings. We are finalizing a fuller response and our next steps for you and the public. In the meantime, I humbly ask that you keep our students, families, coaches and staff in your prayers, along with everyone affected.”
The school says it will comply with CHSAA’s requirements while it completes its own findings and prepares a public response.
