Air Academy coach Waymond Jackson drops game to protect Black players from slurs

Air Academy head football coach Waymond Jackson told district leaders he would not risk his players facing racial abuse by playing Lutheran High School of Parker. Internal emails obtained through the Colorado Open Records Act show Jackson refused to send his team, staff, and families into what he described as an unsafe environment.

The dispute began after a Sept. 24 game between Lutheran and Sand Creek High School. Sand Creek cheerleaders and their coach reported that Lutheran students and community members made racist remarks and gestures. These included calling Black cheerleaders Harriet Tubman, using slurs, and whipping belts toward them. Jackson also cited reports from Rampart High School staff that similar behavior occurred during other games, noting the incidents spanned two schools and three events.

On Oct. 5, Jackson emailed a district official, stating the decision was about whether the kids were safe, not about football. He argued that as a Black man responsible for young people, he would not knowingly expose them to potential abuse. Jackson demanded a full investigation and concrete steps for accountability before Air Academy would play. He criticized the district for not formally backing the school's decision to forfeit.

District administrators appeared to want the matter kept quiet. Assistant Superintendent Becky Harris wrote that Principal Amy Ripperger respected Jackson's choice but instructed him not to tell his staff or students. On Oct. 7, Ripperger announced the school had zero coaches willing to coach on Friday night. The district publicly stated that individual decisions affected coaching availability, though it worked with Lutheran to limit visiting fans and add security.

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) found that Lutheran spectators and participants used discriminatory language across multiple football and basketball events. The state body threatened suspension unless Lutheran completes a corrective action plan. Lutheran executive director Dan Gehrke said the school condemns racism and will meet all CHSAA requirements. He noted that a parent coalition has raised more than $53,000 toward a $500,000 goal for security and legal action.

Lutheran plays Montrose on Friday, its first game since the controversy emerged. Coronado High School also forfeited its game against Lutheran. Jackson told The Denver Post that he is not allowed to speak with the media, and district communications chief Mark Belcher said individual staff emails do not always reflect official district positions.