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NJ officials investigating after referee told wrestler he would have to cut off dreadlocks or forfei
Source: New York Daily News
NJ officials investigating after referee told wrestler he would have to cut off dreadlocks or forfeit match
By JESSICA SCHLADEBECK
| NEW YORK DAILY NEWS |
DEC 21, 2018 | 3:45 PM
State officials are investigating after a New Jersey wrestling referee who once used the n-word against a fellow ref told a black athlete this week that he could either chop off his dreadlocks or forfeit his match.
Andrew Johnson, a student at Buena Regional High School in New Jersey, was gearing up for his bout against Oakcrest High on Wednesday when referee Alan Maloney told him he would not be allowed on the mat if he did not cut his hair.
The wrestler had been wearing a cap to cover his dreadlocks, but was told that it would not be enough. Rather than take the loss, Johnson agreed to a haircut and went on to win his match in overtime.
-snip-
Larry White, executive director for the NJSIAA, confirmed officials have been in contact with the Buena Regional and are awaiting incident reports from both the school and Maloney.
-snip-
By JESSICA SCHLADEBECK
| NEW YORK DAILY NEWS |
DEC 21, 2018 | 3:45 PM
State officials are investigating after a New Jersey wrestling referee who once used the n-word against a fellow ref told a black athlete this week that he could either chop off his dreadlocks or forfeit his match.
Andrew Johnson, a student at Buena Regional High School in New Jersey, was gearing up for his bout against Oakcrest High on Wednesday when referee Alan Maloney told him he would not be allowed on the mat if he did not cut his hair.
The wrestler had been wearing a cap to cover his dreadlocks, but was told that it would not be enough. Rather than take the loss, Johnson agreed to a haircut and went on to win his match in overtime.
-snip-
Larry White, executive director for the NJSIAA, confirmed officials have been in contact with the Buena Regional and are awaiting incident reports from both the school and Maloney.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-news-wrestler-dreadlocks-haircut-forfeit-match-backlash-20181221-story.html
______________________________________________________________________
Source: Washington Post
New Jersey investigating after a white referee forced a black wrestler to cut his dreadlocks
By Jacob Bogage, Eli Rosenberg and Alex Horton December 22 at 1:36 PM
Andrew Johnson stood at the side of the mat, shoulders slumped forward, as teammates from Buena Regional High School stepped up one at a time with a high five and some encouragement.
“Don’t worry about it,” one said, putting his hands on Johnson’s shoulders as a team athletic trainer stood behind the wrestler, shearing off his hair.
Johnson wore thick, dark brown dreadlocks to a meet on Wednesday against rival Oakcrest, another one of the top wrestling teams in southern New Jersey. But before the 120-pound bout could begin, the referee gave Johnson a choice: Forfeit the match or get a quick haircut to comply with athletic regulations.
-snip-
The fallout prompted state investigators to open a probe into the matter, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association said in a statement Saturday, in a joint effort with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
The involved referee will not be assigned any matches until the review is complete, NJIAA executive director Larry White said.
-snip-
By Jacob Bogage, Eli Rosenberg and Alex Horton December 22 at 1:36 PM
Andrew Johnson stood at the side of the mat, shoulders slumped forward, as teammates from Buena Regional High School stepped up one at a time with a high five and some encouragement.
“Don’t worry about it,” one said, putting his hands on Johnson’s shoulders as a team athletic trainer stood behind the wrestler, shearing off his hair.
Johnson wore thick, dark brown dreadlocks to a meet on Wednesday against rival Oakcrest, another one of the top wrestling teams in southern New Jersey. But before the 120-pound bout could begin, the referee gave Johnson a choice: Forfeit the match or get a quick haircut to comply with athletic regulations.
-snip-
The fallout prompted state investigators to open a probe into the matter, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association said in a statement Saturday, in a joint effort with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
The involved referee will not be assigned any matches until the review is complete, NJIAA executive director Larry White said.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2018/12/21/referee-high-school-wrestler-cut-your-dreadlocks-or-forfeit/
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