High school to skip events officiated by referee who told wrestler to cut hair
A New Jersey school district says its wrestling team will no longer compete in events officiated by a referee who told a wrestler to lose his dreadlocks or forfeit his bout.
The announcement came during an emergency meeting held Wednesday with the Buena Regional school board and members of the community. The groups that assign referees have already said they wouldnt assign the ref until further notice.
Buena Regional High School wrestler Andrew Johnson had his dreadlocks cut minutes before his match on 19 December.
Johnson, who is black, had a cover over his hair, but referee Alan Maloney, who is white, said that wouldnt be sufficient. Maloney didnt respond to requests for comment.
WCAU-TV reports the high schools wrestling coach and athletic trainer discussed the incident with board members behind closed doors Wednesday.
The decision came days after a lawyer for Johnson suggested the impromptu hair cut was due in part to the referees tardiness.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/dec/27/high-school-wrestler-dreadlocks-hair-cut
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In the statement issued Monday, Johnsons parents also thanked those who have shown support for their son.
Andrew has been deeply moved by the thunderous outpouring of unsolicited support including from an Olympic wrestler, leading civil rights advocates and elected officials after the shocking pre-match ultimatum, the statement said.
Wrestling has taught Andrew to be resilient in the face of adversity. As we move forward, we are comforted by both the strength of Andrews character and the support hes received from the community. We will do all that we can to make sure that no student-athlete is forced to endure what Andrew experienced.
Let me say that I wrestled when I was in high school, it really is one of the most challenging sports there is, and for a referee to take it out of this young man because he was possibly late..........................