District emails reveal Air Academy forfeit dispute

More than $53,000 has been raised to date by a Lutheran parent coalition seeking to fund security and legal actions. The money goes toward a $500,000 goal established after a dispute over racial conduct at football games in Colorado Springs.

The conflict centers on a homecoming game scheduled for Oct. 9. Air Academy High School forfeited the contest. The public announcement cited a lack of available coaches. It did not mention allegations of racism against Lutheran High School of Parker. Players later described the forfeit as a protest against conduct witnessed at a previous game.

Internal emails obtained through the Colorado Open Records Act show a disagreement within Academy District 20. Head football coach Waymond Jackson told district leaders he would not risk exposing his players to racial abuse. He wrote on Oct. 5 that the decision was not about football but about safety. He stated he would not send students and families into a setting where they might face abuse unless the allegations were fully investigated.

Jackson pointed to incidents at a Sept. 24 game between Lutheran and Sand Creek. Sand Creek cheerleaders and their coach reported racist remarks and gestures. They said Lutheran students called Black cheerleaders Harriet Tubman and used slurs. Rampart High School staff also reported that Lutheran players and parents directed slurs at their families. Jackson noted that reports of such behavior came from two schools across three games.

Administrators appeared to want the matter kept quiet. Assistant Superintendent Becky Harris wrote to Principal Amy Ripperger, who respected Jackson's decision but directed him not to tell his staff or students. On Oct. 7, Ripperger wrote that zero coaches were willing to coach on Friday night. District communications chief Mark Belcher said individual staff emails do not always reflect official district positions.

The Colorado High School Activities Association found that Lutheran spectators used discriminatory language at multiple events. The group 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. He noted that Coronado High School also forfeited its game against Lutheran.

Lutheran plays Montrose on Friday. It is the school's first game since the controversy emerged. Jackson is not allowed to speak with the media about the situation.