By Chris B. Bennett, The Seattle Medium
It appears that someone or some people at the Seattle Public Schools central office are intent on disrupting the athletic culture of Seattle Public Schools, particularly at schools that have historical ties to the African American community.
In recent weeks, we have seen the departure of Corey Sampson, former head coach of the Rainier Beach football team, who resigned his position just two weeks into a new season. Rumor has it that the district and administrators at the school allegedly forced him out. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. If true, the question is, why would the district force out or even allow someone with the track record of Sampson to leave the program? He has consistently gotten his kids into colleges and universities, and has one of the best records, if not the best, in terms of wins and playoff appearances in recent school history.
Two years ago, we saw the departure of former Garfield High School football coach Reggie Witherspoon, Jr. Again, he had great success with the program and the school, but someone or some people at the district wanted Witherspoon and his staff to “re-apply” for their positions in order to continue coaching at the school in the upcoming season. A move that, according to many district insiders, generally means that the school/school district is parting ways with you as a coach and are looking to go in a new direction with the program. Well, let’s take a look at how the program has fared under this new direction. Garfield had a very disappointing season after Witherspoon left, and so far this year the team had to forfeit two games because they don’t have enough players to safely field a competitive varsity team, and they are allegedly contemplating finishing the season with a JV schedule.
Now, it appears that both the Garfield boys’ and girls’ basketball programs are being thrown in the gutter. The leadership at the school, and allegedly at the district level to some extent, has decided to relieve the boys’ basketball coach and former NBA All-Star Brandon Roy, and the girls’ basketball coach Roydell Smiley, of their respective coaching duties. These changes are an alleged effort to improve the culture of the program and to produce student-athletes that excel socially, academically, and athletically—just in time to ruin their upcoming season and quest for another state championship.
In a letter to the Garfield community, Garfield Principal Dr. Tarance Hart says both the girls’ and boys’ basketball programs are in transition under a new athletic director.
“We are beginning a new chapter as we reset both programs, building on past successes while continuing to grow opportunities for our student-athletes—academically, socially, and athletically,” wrote Hart. “Our goal is to foster a competitive, academically supportive, and welcoming program that provides a positive experience and meaningful opportunities for all students.”
None of this meets the smell test. And while Hart is the person falling on the sword, I would suggest, and others would agree, that there is someone else controlling the puppet strings.
The question brewing in the community right now is, why would you remove two very successful coaches from programs that mean so much to the kids, the school, and the community? Especially when, by most accounts, both programs are considered to be two of the most prominent/dominant programs in the state.
Beyond the individual stories of these coaches, the district has a responsibility and a policy that is supposed to ensure that athletics are managed with transparency, fairness, and equity. When teams are left without leadership, forced to forfeit games, or lose role models who reflect the students they serve, it raises questions about whether the broader commitments to student growth, safety, and racial equity are truly being upheld.
The real question is, why and who? And what is their real agenda? Who is attempting to ruin the successful sports culture in Seattle that took so long to build? Kids from Seattle are finally getting to the big stage and getting scholarship offers from big-time programs, and many of them have charted a pathway to professional sports—creating an even bigger spotlight on Seattle athletics.
Who in their right mind would let go of one of the most successful high school basketball coaches of his time in Brandon Roy? The community needs and deserves truthful answers and not answers from the Pinocchios who are trying their best to spin this story in a way that makes no sense to anyone—including themselves in some cases—while the real shot-callers lurk in the shadows and play good Samaritan.
Don’t get me wrong, everyone involved in the process of letting these Black coaches go is responsible for what is taking place. But everyone needs to be held accountable for their actions and not be allowed to hide in the shadows.
Unfortunately for Seattle Public Schools, this is not the first time in recent years they have parted ways with a number of high-profile Black men, and the perception is that there are those administrators within Seattle Public Schools who don’t want someone, especially a Black man, to have a brighter light than they do, even if they’ve earned it through their own blood, sweat, and tears!
I believe, and think many people will agree, that this is not a coincidence. Witherspoon, Sampson, Smiley, and Roy! All BLACK. All GONE! What did all of them have in common? They were all winners! They were elevating the profile of the programs they were in charge of. They were turning young men and young women into leaders both on and off the court for what basically amounts to a volunteer position. They all have earned the right to leave their positions on their own terms and on their own timeline—a timeline that now appears to be shorter than they expected and apparently was not their own.
Seattle Public Schools brands itself as a center of excellence. Unfortunately, it appears that some people within the district do not embody this sentiment, especially as it relates to African American coaches who are making a difference in the lives of students and not just their players.
And if I’m being honest, I must say this: Since announcing the departure of Dr. Brent Jones as superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, there appears to be a culture brewing that lacks accountability to the community, students, stakeholders, and even to each other.
Through the eyes of an ink barrel, may peace be unto you!
