tion EES Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Associa ESSA A’ Trac, TenNEsaee S707 SoS ce ee ee rig tsraee.opae + wrw.teannore February 2. 2018 Mr. Nathen Langlois, Principal Austin-East Magnet High School 2800 Martin Luther King Je. Ave. Knoxville. TN 37914 Dear Mr. Langlois: This is in regard to the unsportsmanlike incident that occurred during the boys’ basketball contest between Brainerd High Schoo! and Austin-East Magnet High School on Saturé: January 27, 2018. According 10 the information received from administrators, coaches. Officials, and video recordings, a brawl involving fans and players from both schools occurred before halftime, with 2:20 left, und the game had to be stopped. The brawl consisted of fans, students, and players. A player from Brainerd High School was injured and had to be trarisported to the hospital. The report submitted by the officials stated: With a litte over two minures left before halftime, rwo players went to the Then all of a sudden both players were in an st hit of floor for a loose ball altercation. Brainerd with the ball. In rerurn, player while both were still on the floor ‘Adams, Afterwards. both benches emptied. and altercations were taking place everywhere. the fans, and the players, The game way suspended at that point with Austin East ahead 32-36. News reports indicate that local law enforcement officials are investigating whether criminal charges may be warranted. One TSSAA Basketball Supervisor, who was in attendance, stated the altercation was the “worst he has ever seen in 36 years.” It was reported to us that an older man attending the game said he was as afraid as he has ever been in his life. The administration at Austin-East Magnet High School was asked to deal with the situation and report their action to the state office in writing. The administration of Austin-Fast if Austin Et punched the Austin East cont of the East bench: per Ken Magnet High School proposed the following action: Disciplinary earings have to be conducted when students face long-term suspensions for violations of schoo! policy and rules. 2 =. be banned froma all future Austin-Ea i istin-East Magnet High Sel 2 games for the remainder of the 2018 season. SeasAch the Pri Athletic 4, AU players attended an sfier school team meeting with the Principal. Beer Boys’ Basketball Coaching Staff, at which school, district. and TSSAA " for on-court and bench areas were reiterated. In addition, these ‘be signed and retumed by each expect ‘expectations will be shared in @ Jetter that must student-athletes” parent(s)/guardian(s). The student that was identified by TSSAA in the incident letter = 0 TSSAA Rules and Policy for students Who are 4. will be disciplined according « the player shored in the letter involved in fighting. Also. please note that }) was misidentified by the officials. Brainerd t Magnet High School will cancel their upcoming game with 5. Austin- High School and will not play them again in the future. 6. The Austin-East Magnet High Schoo) administration will send out a school messenger, tailored to parents and fans. that stresses the importance of displaying ood sportsmanship at all times. It will also address that several fans displayed bad sportsmanship and that these actions are having a detrimental effect on the team’s current season. 7. All players ~ those that stood and left the bench. will forfeit the upcoming District Game against Alcoa on February 6, 2018. Going forward, if any Austin-East Magnet High Schoo! boys’ basketball player leaves the bench and is involved in any additional fighting incidents, they will be permanently expelled from the team. While some of the actions proposed by the Austin-East Magnet High School administration are apptopriate, collectively those actions are insufficient in view of the seriousness of the January 27 ocourrence. The January 27 acounence reflected a failure of comrol by administrators and coaches and an absence of sportsmanship. Sportsmanship ts an essential component of high school sports. As the TSSAA Bylaws state in Article III: The TSSAA and its member schools believe strongly that the major purpose of athletics at the secondary: level is to be part of the total education program. A major part of this purpose is to stress to coaches, players. and fans the vital importance of sportsmanship. It is critical that all people in each of these categories understand the major role that they play and the role model that they can be for others. After reviewing all of the infonnation, the case is being closed in the following manner: 1, The Austin-East Magnet High School boys’ baskethall team may resume regular season play. This is with the understanding that any other unsportsmanlike incident involving the boys’ basketball program will foree TSSAA to consider sanctioning the entire athletic program due to lack of control.gnet High School administration is accepted 2. ‘The action taken by the Austin-East May AN atten and must be enforced with the exception of #7. 4. Austin-Bast Magnet High School is being fined $500.00 for players and fans coming, ‘onto the floor during an altercation. 4. ‘The boys" basketball program at Austin-East Magnet High ‘School is being placed on. se exe probation for the remainder of the 2017-18 season beginning February 2, Jo The’ boys” bosketball program will also be on restrictive probation throughout aelSorg-19 school year. The boys" basketball programm is being Gned $2,000.00. SSAA. Constitution states: dividual sport in an athletic program Article V, Section 4(3) of the TS: series and a fine of Restrictive probation to an in shall result in removal from the tournament $1,000.00 anmally. During the period of restrictive probation, the boys” basketball team will not be Gilowed to enter the postieason boys? basketball tournament series or receive any award recognizing their finish in the regular season. 5. The boys’ basketball progiam at Austin-East Magnet High School is being placed on probation for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years and fined an additional $1,000.00. Article V, Section 4(1) of the TSSAA Constitution states: ult in Probation to an individual sport in an athlerte program shall rest a fine of 8500.00 annually. The boys’ basketball program will be allowed to participate in all regular and postseason contests during the probationary period, If there are any unsportsmanlike ‘TSSAA will be forced to consider further sanctions. incidents during this time, Austin-Gast Magnet High School's boys’ basketball program is being fined a total of $3.500.00. Ifyou have any questions regarding this, please feel free to contact our office, Sincerely, Qauh Bernard Childress Executive Director sCslj