Coach Withdrew Team Over Fears of Racial Abuse in Homecoming Game

Air Academy High School football coach Waymond Jackson decided to forfeit his team's Oct. 9 homecoming game because he believed his players would face racial abuse if they competed against Lutheran High School of Parker.

This decision contradicted the school's official explanation, which cited a shortage of available coaches and mentioned no allegations of racism. Internal emails obtained through the Colorado Open Records Act show Jackson prioritized player safety over the scheduled contest.

Jackson wrote to a district official on Oct. 5, stating the choice was not about football but about whether the students were safe. As a Black man responsible for young people in Academy District 20, he said he would not send students, managers, and families into a setting where they might face racial hostility.

He required a full investigation and concrete steps to prevent a repeat of the alleged conduct before Air Academy would play. Players later described the forfeit as a protest against the behavior witnessed at other events.

The controversy traces back to a Sept. 24 game at Lutheran against Sand Creek High School. Several Sand Creek cheerleaders and their coach reported that Lutheran students and community members made racist remarks and gestures.

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 reports from Rampart High School staff who said Lutheran players and parents directed slurs at Rampart families, describing the behavior as disgusting and foul.

Jackson noted that reports of this conduct came from two schools across three games and two levels of play. He criticized the district's response, calling it a slap in the face that Academy District 20 had not formally backed the decision not to play.

Assistant Superintendent Becky Harris directed Principal Amy Ripperger to respect Jackson's decision but instructed him not to tell his staff or students. On Oct. 7, Ripperger wrote that the school had zero coaches willing to coach on Friday night, a statement that aligned with the public announcement of a coaching shortage.

District communications chief Mark Belcher said individual staff emails do not always reflect official district positions and may lack context. Jackson told The Denver Post he is not allowed to speak with the media.

The Colorado High School Activities Association found that Lutheran spectators and participants used discriminatory language across multiple events. The organization threatened suspension unless the school completes a corrective action plan. Lutheran executive director Dan Gehrke said the school condemns racism and will meet every requirement.

A Lutheran parent coalition launched an online fundraiser for security and legal action against those who accused the school of racism. As of Thursday, the group had raised more than $53,000 toward a $500,000 goal.

Lutheran plays Montrose on Friday, its first game since the controversy emerged. Coronado High School also forfeited its game against Lutheran.