Alleged ‘racist’ comment by manager towards Iowa City High basketball coach during game at Fairfield

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Fairfields JJ Lane flies to the rim against Iowa City High on Monday, January 23, 2023. The Trojans were 77-63 winners. (Hunter Moeller/The Fairfield Union)

CEDAR RAPIDS A men’s basketball game between Fairfield and Iowa City High at Fairfield ended early Monday night after an altercation on the ground, with allegations ensuing about a racist comment made to the head coach of City Highs during the match by an official.

The Iowa City Athletic Officials Association said game officials deny the charge.

City High Principal John Bacon and Iowa City Community School District Superintendent Matt Degner sent an email to school staff, students and families on Tuesday, which was shared with The Gazette in support of Little Hawks coach Brennan Swayzer.

Swayzer, who is black, was ejected from the game in the second half after the alleged comment, as was a Little Hawks fan.

We want to share details of an unfortunate incident that happened during last night’s boys basketball game at Fairfield, the email said. During the game, an official made a racist comment to our coach. The Iowa City Community School District never tolerates racism. We support our students and staff of color. We also deal with an incident of physical assault and help our students learn better ways to handle an unstable situation.

Due to the dangerous environment within the gymnasium, our coaches have decided to withdraw our student-athletes. Our team received a police escort to the locker room, to the bus, and out of town. While that’s definitely not how we wanted this game to play out, we’re grateful that the situation defused and we were able to leave the school safely.

The ICAOA said it supported a full investigation into the matter and backed the unidentified team of referees, who are members of the association, founded in 1970 to provide officials for pre-season football matches, at the basketball and baseball in the area.

It is concerning that the school district released a statement accusing field officials of making racist comments without first speaking to officials or the association, the statement said. Such accusations deserve to be fully investigated by the appropriate governing bodies, and we welcome such an investigation, and our members will cooperate fully.

We have spoken to the relevant officials, and they categorically deny making such statements. In fact, it is completely irrelevant to each of them, and they are shocked and hurt by the accusation.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association said Wednesday afternoon it was investigating City High’s claims and the altercation that ended the game prematurely.

We are still collecting information about the game from Fairfield and Iowa City High, as well as game officials, said IHSAA communications director Chris Cuellar. As always, we will continue to reach out to those affected to learn more and work with our member schools to facilitate resolutions.

With two minutes remaining in the game pissed off and Fairfield ahead 77-63, a foul was called on City Highs Evan Lampe on a play out of bounds under City High’s basket, Lampe proceeding to shove the player he had fouled on , Fairfields Tate Allen, on the ground, then appearing to push him again when Allen was on the ground.

Video of the altercation can be viewed here.

The benches were cleared and the teams were sent to their respective locker rooms after order was restored. City High then decided they didn’t want to complete the game and, as the school email stated, were safely escorted to their bus home.

At the end of the Fairfield vs Iowa City High Boys college basketball game, there was an altercation between the players that forced coaches, officials and administration to safely intervene, the Fairfield superintendent said. , Dr. Laurie Noll, in a statement. The teams were escorted into separate dressing rooms for a five-minute break.

Meanwhile, coaches at Iowa City High determined it was best to forfeit the game. All students, coaches and fans left safe and sound. Fairfield appreciates the help of the Iowa City High fans, officials, coaches and administration in attendance for their help in defusing the situation.

Noll sent another statement on Wednesday, saying police were called to the school gymnasium but never entered, instead making sure the City Highs team could get to their bus safely. An Iowa State Tropper escorted the bus out of town.

FCSD is aware that the administration of Iowa City, City High School has contacted the Iowa High School Athletic Association regarding allegations regarding communication between game officials and City High basketball coaches, Nolls’ statement said. FCSD is willing to provide any information that may assist in an investigation.

Bacon said in a text that he could not comment publicly on the allegation or incident on the ground. Swayzer wasn’t at the City Highs game Tuesday night at Linn-Mar, nor was Lampe.

Linn-Mar beat the Little Hawks, 73-58.

I don’t know, I don’t want to say any comment, and it’s more because I don’t want this to take away from the direction our team is going, said Frederick Newell, assistant coach/interim head coach of City High, questioned on Monday. It was a difficult night. I think if there were things we could do again, we absolutely would. But we can’t, so we go ahead.

Newell was asked if he heard what was allegedly said to Swayzer.

It was crazy. That’s all I can say, Newell said. I can’t be specific at this point. I would just let them take care of what they need to take care of. But I’ll tell you, we support Coach Swayze. An incredible man, an incredible father, an incredible coach. I’ll ride with him the rest of the way.

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