Coach said he would not risk racial abuse, but district stayed quiet

A significant tension emerged within Colorado Springs' Academy District 20, as revealed by internal correspondence obtained through the Colorado Open Records Act. Air Academy High School's head football coach argued that his players were being exposed to potential racial abuse by competing against Lutheran High School of Parker. While the public explanation for the team's forfeited Oct. 9 homecoming game cited a shortage of coaching staff, the private emails paint a more complex picture of a staff member taking a stand against what he viewed as unsafe conditions for Black students.

Waymond Jackson, who serves as both the head football coach and a dean, made his position clear in an email sent to a district official on Oct. 5. He stated that the decision was not about the sport itself but about whether young people in the district were safe. Speaking as a Black man responsible for students, managers, and families, Jackson said he would not knowingly send them into an environment where they might face racial hostility. He insisted that Air Academy should not play unless the specific allegations were fully investigated and addressed with concrete steps to prevent a repeat.

The dispute traces back to a Sept. 24 game between Lutheran and Sand Creek High School. According to several Sand Creek cheerleaders and their coach, Lutheran students and community members made racist remarks and gestures during that match. These actions included calling Black cheerleaders Harriet Tubman, using slurs, whipping belts toward them, and telling them to go back to where they came from. Jackson also cited complaints from Rampart High School staff, who reported that Lutheran players and parents directed slurs at Rampart families during other events. He noted that these reports came from two different schools, spanning three games and two levels of play.

Jackson expressed frustration with the district's reaction to his stance. In writing, he described the lack of support as a slap in the face and urged the district to formally back the decision not to play. He requested that the district share this position with Lutheran and the Colorado High School Activities Association. However, other communications suggested the district was hesitant. Barry Clark, the flag football coach at Air Academy, told a parent in an email on Oct. 5 that the district would not support the school if it chose to decline the game.

Administrative records show a conflicting approach within the leadership ranks. Becky Harris, the district's assistant superintendent for learning services, emailed that Principal Amy Ripperger respected Jackson's decision but directed him not to inform his staff or students. Two days later, on Oct. 7, Ripperger wrote that the school had zero coaches willing to coach on Friday night. The district's public statement on Oct. 8 claimed it had worked with both schools to hold the game, limiting visiting fans and adding security, while noting that individual decisions affected coaching participation.

Mark Belcher, the district's communications chief, stated that individual staff emails do not always reflect official district positions and may lack context. Jackson told The Post that he is currently not allowed to speak with the media. Meanwhile, the CHSAA has determined that Lutheran spectators and participants used discriminatory language and behaviors across multiple football and basketball events. The state association has threatened suspension unless the school completes a corrective action plan.

Dan Gehrke, the executive director at Lutheran, said the school condemns racism and will meet every requirement set by the CHSAA. He noted that Lutheran had offered a spectator plan and a meeting with head coaches and regretted that students lost the chance to compete. Another team, Coronado High School, also forfeited its game against Lutheran. The school is scheduled to play Montrose this Friday, marking its first game since the controversy broke.

The situation continues to evolve with financial implications for the community. A parent coalition at Lutheran has launched an online fundraiser to cover costs for security and legal action. This legal strategy involves pursuing claims against the CHSAA, media outlets, and the individuals who accused the school community of racism. As of Thursday, the campaign had raised more than $53,000 toward a total goal of $500,000.