Current Events > student athlete kicked off the team for having dreads

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https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2019/09/03/a-coachs-reported-disapproval-of-dreadlocks-stirs-a-fuss-at-ua-fort-smith

It included what appears to be a note to UA-FS (full document here) from Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Williams, complaining about a meeting Boone had had with their son. By this account, Boone said he didnt like the players hairstyle (dreadlocks) and would not recruit others with similar hair. The parents subsequently met with the coach Aug. 16 and, according to their note, were initially told he wouldnt make Tyler Williams cut his hair because he was a senior. But he reportedly made clear he didnt like it. When the Williams said thered been a court ruling in California in support of natural hair, Boone reportedly responded: I dont have to deal with that. I dont live in California. The Williamses said Boone ultimately grew angry and dimissed their son from the team.

The parents contend a prohibition on a certain hairstyle amounts to racial discrimination. Their note included high points of their sons academic and athletic record.

On Aug. 25, Tyler Williams announced on Twitter he was transferring to a school in Oklahoma.

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Racist piece of shit
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Blue_Inigo posted...

Racist piece of shit

this. is so obvious. and that school is complicit.
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Yeah, I seriously doubt anything will happen because of it. But it's super fucked up

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so the coach hired a lawyer, here his what he is saying:

I read your piece about the fuss created by Coach Boones opinions regarding student-athlete grooming standards. As you might expect, theres more to this story than what youve been told.
Coach Boone has retained me to help him set the record straight. Ill be able to give you more details tomorrow; however, I can share with you now whats behind the allegations aimed at Coach Boone.
This isnt the first time Ive seen baseless accusations made against a head coach by a student-athlete whose real motive is to create grounds for a waiver from the NCAA. In this case, the student-athlete has already used the one-time transfer without penalty exception to avoid sitting out a year following a transfer from one school to another. Therefore, the only way hell be able to play basketball next season is to create a narrative that might cause the NCAA to believe that he transferred because he was somehow mistreated by his former schools coaching staff.

He wasnt mistreated, and the issue about his hair had nothing to do with his decision to leave UA-Fort Smith. To the contrary, this student-athlete transferred to a school in Oklahoma because Coach Boone had recruited some players who were more talented. It was fairly obvious to everyone including this player- that he wasnt going to get much time on the court next season if he stayed at UA-Fort Smith. Thats the real reason he transferred.
What hes doing now is just a shot from half court in an effort to create grounds for a waiver. Unfortunately, this scenario occurs all too often in college sports when players and their parents realize thats the only route available to seek a waiver of the NCAAs year in residence requirement following a transfer.
As John Madden would say, thats what its all about.

UPDATE 2: I asked Tom Mars about the Williams recording of their conversation with the coach and whether he disputed things theyd said. His response by e-mail:

Coach Boone was given a copy of the recording. So he know whats on there. Needless to say, he doesnt deny anything he said thats clearly audible on the recording.
He didnt punish this student-athlete over his hair. In fact, he never made this player cut or change his hair. Photos of this players hair over the past year show that his hairstyle never changed. Coach Boone was around this player all summer and even had him come to his home for dinner. Whats more, internal contemporaneous records reflect the Coach commenting on the players appearance by saying he looked great.
Coach Boones attitude about players hair styles is admittedly old-school, but its not discriminatory. Hed feel the same way if a young Larry Byrd was playing for UA-Fort Smith. That said, hes going to make it abundantly clear that he recruits players based on their talent and character. Hes also going to make clear that, despite what he thinks about personal grooming for student-athletes, he doesnt believe (and never has) that a players hairstyle, tattoo sleeves, or body piercings are indicative of a persons character or their potential to become the next Larry Byrd or LeBron James.

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What an absolute moron the coach is.
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