PUEBLO, Colorado — Pueblo School District 60 has suspended two volunteer coaches from South High School following a fight between the Colts and the Eagles at Friday night's Cannon Game.
Additionally, the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) handed down game suspensions for players from both teams according to a statement released Monday afternoon by the district.
Referees halted the game with a minute remaining in the 2nd quarter. District spokesman Dalton Sprouse clarified that neither school was disqualified on Friday. However, officials stopped the game over safety concerns for game participants and workers.
East High was leading 23 - 0 at the time and the Eagles were declared the winners.
"The evaluation of the situation is ongoing, and there is a possibility of suspensions from both schools as we continue to monitor the situation," Sprouse stated.
News of the suspensions comes a day after superintendent Charlotte Macaluso released a statement on the district's Facebook page promising a thorough investigation.
"Although it is a rivalry, at no time should sportsmanship or respect be put aside in the heat of the moment," Macaluso wrote.
An official statement released Monday by the Colorado High School Activities Association states that CHSAA staff will work with both schools, the district and game officials, "to address this regrettable situation."
"Unsportsmanlike behavior, including fighting and taunting, has absolutely no place in high school athletics and those behaviors will be addressed with immediate and stern consequences," the statement reads.
The district also commended the players and coaches whom they say acted responsibly and worked to de-escalate the situation on Friday night.
"We are confident in the fact that we will move forward from this unfortunate incident as we work to restore the highest level of sportsmanship and mutual respect that honors the tradition our community has celebrated for more than four decades," Sprouse said.
MONDAY STATEMENT FROM PUEBLO SCHOOL DISTRICT 60
Per a continuing evaluation of the incident that occurred shortly before halftime of the 2022 Cannon Game, officials with the Colorado High School Activities Association have ruled that while the East Eagles are the victors, no team was disqualified.
The game was halted by officials due to safety concerns for participants and workers.
Additionally, after a review of multiple angles of the incident as captured on film, CHSAA issued a ruling that included disciplinary action/game suspensions for student athletes from both schools. In addition, D60 has suspended two volunteer coaches from South High School, pending further disciplinary action.
The evaluation of the situation is ongoing, and there is a possibility of suspensions from both schools as we continue to monitor the situation.
With the CHSAA officials accurately noting that the incident is a “teaching and learning opportunity,” the District commends those coaches and athletes who acted in a responsible manner, working to de-escalate a situation that evolved from a spirited and intense rivalry contest.
We are confident in the fact that we will move forward from this unfortunate incident as we work to restore the highest level of sportsmanship and mutual respect that honors the tradition our community has celebrated for more than four decades.
Respectfully,
R. Dalton Sprouse
Director of Communications
Pueblo School District 60
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM CHSAA
“The CHSAA office was notified Friday evening of the physical altercation that occurred between Pueblo East and Pueblo South resulting in the game being terminated. The CHSAA staff continues to evaluate the information available and is working with both schools, the school district and the game officials to address this regrettable situation. Unsportsmanlike behavior, including fighting and taunting, has absolutely no place in high school athletics and those behaviors will be addressed with immediate and stern consequences. As adult stakeholders in high school sport, we all have a crucial responsibility to hold ourselves and our student-athletes to the highest of standards.” – Colorado High School Activities Association.
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