Southmoore teaches right lesson with suspensions
“We’re going to play with the kids that we have and we’re going to continue to play our JV, our freshmen and our varsity schedule with the kids that we have.” Southmoore basketball coach Tim Stogsdill
MOORE — Southmoore athletic director Dewayne Hunter’s first call was to Moore Public Schools administrators.
He was in the parking lot of the John Nobles Invitational last weekend when he received a vulgar rap video featuring several boys basketball players. They were in their Southmoore uniforms or clothing. They were on school grounds.
Something had to be done.
“We made the decision and moved on,” Hunter said Wednesday.
On a day where social media could have wrecked a program, Southmoore admirably faced the situation head on.
No cover up or delay. Punishment was swift and just with lessons in mind.
Extended suspensions were dealt to all players involved. A source told The Oklahoman the suspensions affected nearly the entire 15-member varsity team.
Moore Public Schools announced a formal investigation Monday after a second video emerged. School officials, including Hunter, will not comment on details of the video, the length of suspensions or student-athletes involved.
Southmoore basketball coach Tim Stogsdill did not return phone calls from The Oklahoman.
But he and Hunter made the call to play Saturday, even with the depleted roster. They refused to take the easy way out by staggering suspensions just to play.
“I didn’t want to not play,” Hunter said. “Neither did Coach.”
Instead, Stogsdill called Southmoore players not on the tournament roster. If available, come play Saturday afternoon.
Around nine showed up ready for their chance.
“We just patched together what we could,” Hunter said. “We’re going to play with the kids that we have and we’re going to continue to play our JV, our freshmen and our varsity schedule with the kids that we have.”
Southmoore lost to Moore 76-57, but earned respect.
The school also gained that with the handling of the situation.
Hunter can’t put a timetable on the length of the investigation. He’s dealt with backlash for the suspensions. Some feel the district hasn’t been strict enough. Some think it’s too strict.
“That’s just the way it is,” Hunter said.
“We knew that from the beginning, but we’re going to do what we felt we needed to do and what was right for our school and our district.
“We handled it like we would normal handle any situation in Moore.”
Entering Friday’s game at Deer Creek, Hunter won’t say how many varsity players will be available, if any.
The Saber-Cats will play either way.
“We’ll play the kids we have and roll the dice to see what happens,” Hunter said.
And in the process, Hunter hopes his students learn from this. Their actions and words matter.
“I’m trying to be fair to these kids and to everybody else in the long term,” Hunter said. “Hopefully, it’s a teachable moment not only for Southmoore kids but all kids on social media.”