Ref who forced high school wrestler to cut dreadlocks should be sidelined, state says

[CatWoman]

The state’s governing body for high school sports recommended Friday the referee who told a wrestler from Buena High School to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit his match not be assigned to any events until the matter has been reviewed more thoroughly.

In addition, the organization referred the incident to the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights in correspondence with the state’s sportsmanship policy. Leland Moore, a spokesman for the Attorney General's office, confirmed Friday the Division on Civil Rights has opened an investigation into the matter.


Andrew Johnson, a wrestler from Buena High in Atlantic County, was told by referee Alan Maloney he had to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit his match during a dual meet Thursday night against Oakcrest, according to a report by SNJ Today News. Johnson, who had a hair cover according to the report, opted to have his dreadlocks sheared on the mat by a school trainer.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association said Friday it will "recommend to chapter officials that the referee in question not be assigned to any event" in an effort to reduce distractions for competing wrestlers. Complaints against officials are first heard by the officials' association, and can be appealed to the NJSIAA Controversies Committee, the NJSIAA said.

Link to tweet

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-6157741941673651159/state-asks-that-ref-who-forced-wrestler-to-cut-dreadlocks-be-sidelined/?fbclid=IwAR27gjtFe6GLf5cM3qNVhhc24K3hZ3G3F1nTBJ-vx5tUnluVnUn2Iaz82L0

[Sherman A1]

1. Good

Hopefully they will Fire his backside and send him packing.

[lunatica]

4. Yes. Agreed

This story pissed me off. The referee has no business being there. Fire him.

[applegrove]

2. Good. The ref has a fetish about dreadlocks.

[RKP5637]

3. Excellent! n/t

[akraven]

5. Good. He should be fired, and arrested for personal assault.

If I don't see dreads just out shopping? It's not a normal day!

None of the coaches way up here seem to have a problem with them.

[Scruffy1]

7. High school refs are part timers paid per match.

Many are teachers. Some from elsewhere. The pay is small everywhere.

[akraven]

8. Of course. They're teachers, no decent pay for them.

I don't mind teachers moonlighting, most of us have had to. I do mind idiots. Our wrestling, basketball and baseball coaches would no more even THINK about something like this.

[USALiberal]

6. What an asshole! nt

[RainCaster]

9. We have a friend whose daughter wrestles, she doesn't cut her hair

So...
WTF?
Why does a dude have to cut his hair?

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Excellent news!

[Basement Beat]

11. I wish his team and his coach had his back as much as he had theirs.

Last edited Mon Dec 24, 2018, 01:15 AM - Edit history (1)

Gotta say I'm disappointed that his coach and his teammates didn't support him and decide to walk out together. But alas, its always up to those being discriminated against to be the "strong" one and be a "team player".

[MyOwnPeace]

12. I agree.............

the coach should have pulled the team under protest and not subject any of his team to the official who was over-reaching his authority. Like you said, too bad they didn't support him like he supported his "team."

[Basement Beat]

13. Yep. This would have been such a feel good story

if that was the case, especially in the 45 era. But now it's an opinion stew.

[Gothmog]

14. This Referee is a racist and should find a new job