Latest news with #AlbanyHighSchool
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coaches reinstated after probe into racist taunts at Bay Area high school baseball game
[Source] Pinole Valley High School's head baseball coach, T'won Blake, and assistant coach, Will Tipton, will return to their positions following an internal investigation into racist taunts allegedly directed at Albany High School players of Asian descent during a varsity game on April 23. West Contra Costa Unified School District officials told KRON4 that investigators were unable to confirm who made the remarks and said the coaches were unaware of the comments until after the game. District officials said both coaches cooperated fully with the inquiry and acted appropriately once informed of the incident. In response, the district will place a school administrator and the athletic director at all remaining Pinole Valley baseball games. Albany Unified School District maintains that the taunts came from the Pinole Valley dugout. The reinstatement has drawn criticism from some parents, including Eugene Lee, who questioned the lack of disciplinary action for players. Lee, whose son was one of the players targeted by the remarks, continues to call for stronger accountability and broader institutional change. WCCUSD has reiterated its commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all students. Trending on NextShark: This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
San Francisco Chronicle
03-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
East Bay school district investigates allegations of anti-Asian slurs on baseball field
Two players on the Albany High School baseball team were the subject of racist taunts during a home game against Pinole Valley High, prompting an apology from the school principal and an investigation by the school district. Video shows taunts such as 'Baljeet' and 'PF Chang' directed at South Asian and Chinese American pitchers from Albany High School during the game against Pinole Valley on April 23. Pinole Valley High School's principal, Todd Irving, sent a formal letter of apology Thursday to the Albany High School principal and community. The letter acknowledged that 'unacceptable conduct' occurred during that game, said the school is investigating reports about 'inappropriate and racist remarks,' and that he and the school's athletic director met with the baseball team to address the seriousness of the situation, according to a copy of the letter shared with the Chronicle by a parent. It's unclear who made the remarks. Irving's letter says 'a student in the crowd who was suspected of making the comments' was identified and 'the issue was addressed with the individual.' The letter also stated that the Pinole Valley High School baseball coach did not hear the remarks but said a small group of students who 'regularly attend games' had previously been warned about inappropriate behavior. Irving did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday. West Contra Costa Unified School District is aware of 'serious allegations involving racial harassment during the April 23 game' and is investigating, said spokesperson Raechelle Forrest. She added that the district is 'actively working to identify the participants involved' and taking 'every possible measure' to ensure incidents like this do not occur at its sports events. Eugene Lee, whose son plays for Albany and was one of the targets of the slurs, sent a letter on April 30 to the West Contra Costa Unified School District on behalf of Albany parents demanding immediate termination of the Pinole Valley season. The regular season ended Friday so the punishment would mean the team misses the postseason. 'Because it's anti-Asian racism, people are more dismissive of it,' said Lee. 'That's what is causing a lot of the anger among our families. We're supposed to accept the 'trust us, we won't let it happen again.'' Lee had also asked for the district to investigate the incident, publicly document disciplinary actions and conduct a review of how the district responds to race-based harassment. When Lee's son stepped up to pitch on April 23, someone yelled 'PF Chang, is that you?' according to a video of the game that Albany parents took and Lee uploaded to YouTube. Lee said his son told him that someone else shouted, 'He can't see through those eyes,' after he threw a pitch and hit the batter, though it was not audible in the video. At four points during the video, voices making barking sounds could be heard when Lee's son pitched. Barking has a history of being used as an anti-Asian taunt, linked to the racist stereotype that Chinese people eat dogs. As an Albany pitcher of South Asian descent stepped up to the plate, chants of 'Baljeet, Baljeet' are heard on the video. Baljeet Tjinder is an Indian American character on the Disney channel animated show 'Phineas and Ferb.' The letter from Irving to the Albany community also said that all Pinole Valley players were required to retake their 'sportsmanship certification' to 'reinforce the importance of respectful conduct and ethical play.' Lee called the move 'comically inadequate.' 'The lesson you've taught your kids is that consequences can be outright avoided,' he added. Parents were also upset about videos posted on April 27 to an Instagram account with the username from the game between Pinole Valley and Albany alongside the final scores, showing Pinole had won. The post was captioned 'need we say more #wedontdiscriminate #loveyourneighbor.' The two hashtags have since been deleted, but Lee provided a screen recording showing the original caption.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Allegations of racist taunts swirl during East Bay high school baseball game
ALBANY, Calif. - An East Bay high school varsity baseball team celebrated its senior night on Friday, but the excitement was overshadowed by a disturbing scene at a recent game where several players faced racist taunts from opposing players. What we know A video clip posted online showed portions of an April 23 game between Albany High School's varsity baseball team and Pinole Valley High School. The video appears to show racist taunts and jeers hurled by players on Pinole's team at their opponents. "We record every single game so the boys can have highlights," said Eugene Lee, an Albany parent who also serves as the chief scorekeeper. "For my son, they chanted 'PF Chang, is that you?' They said, 'He can't see through those eyes,'" Lee recalled. Dig deeper Lee said he considered letting the offense slide until he discussed the incident with his family and then found out Pinole Valley players were accused of committing a similar offense a week earlier against Asian players on El Cerrito High School's baseball team. "Bigoted slurs were directed towards my child and the other Asian American baseball player on El Cerrito High," said El Cerrito parent Anatalio Ubalde. "Racist actions from the Pinole Valley varsity baseball team are clearly systemic. This is not an isolated issue," said Dr. Shaun Fletcher, a public relations and sports communication expert at San Jose State. "This rises well beyond simple heckling or trying to get under your opponent's skin." Albany Unified School District Superintendent Sara Stone sent a letter to parents that read in part, "Members of the Albany team and community were subjected to racist remarks. AUSD is committed to protecting all of our students from racial harassment and intimidation. Albany High student athletes know that they are held to high standards of respectful and ethical behavior. We expect the same from the teams we meet in friendly competition and will not tolerate racialized harassment." Stone said she has reached out to the West Contra Costa Unified superintendent and that the situation is not fully resolved. What they're saying Todd Irving, the principal of Pinole Valley, penned an apology letter that read in part, "I want to extend our sincere concern and apologies regarding the unacceptable conduct that occurred..." Irving said he met with his team and reaffirmed that racist and unsportsmanlike behavior won't be tolerated. He also said that all players were required to retake their sportsmanship certification. Why you should care "You've brought hate onto the field and now it's overflowed into the community," said Lee. Added Stone, "If my students, if my players had done the same thing, they would not be playing baseball for the rest of the season." Albany school district officials and experts said the punishment of the offending Pinole Valley students should be swift and targeted. "They must come with something beyond just words and beyond just conversation that ensures it's a safe space. Actions speak louder than words," said Fletcher. Both school districts are investigating, and the California Interscholastic Federation, the governing body, could too. As for the schools in question, they're still playing and could face each other in upcoming playoff games. If that happens, some Albany players have said they would rather forfeit than play Pinole Valley. Jesse Gary is a reporter based in the South Bay bureau. Follow him on the Instagram platform, @jessegontv and on Facebook, @JesseKTVU. The Source Interviews, along with statements from Albany Unified School District and Pinole Valley High principal, Todd Irving.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Livingston Parish students recognized for integrity and honesty
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Four Livingston Parish high school students were awarded for their good behavior as they serve as role models on their campuses. Albany High School students Jonah Grob and Abigail McAlister and Springfield High School students Logan Milton and Olivia Arne, all juniors, were recognized for their honesty and integrity by the Albany Masonic Lodge #466. 'These students were selected by their school administrators and faculty – people who witness their behavior every day. These school leaders made the selection we have before us,' Masonic Lodge Leader Ronald Stilley said. 'I think it says a lot about a student's character when the school leaders who are with them every day can confidently pick them from the crowd.' The Grand Lodge of Louisiana started the Honesty and Integrity award in 1977 to highlight students who have the qualities to become future leaders. More Standout Students >> Rayne shooting suspect arrested in Baton Rouge; second man still at large Mother of 3-year-old shot in Baton Rouge speaks out Livingston Parish students recognized for integrity and honesty Louisiana hair braiding licensing prompts three-hour committee debate Which food dyes are expected to be eliminated in the US? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
