Source: SAEED KHAN / Getty
The Appalachian State University men’s tennis coach has been suspended after one of his players made a racially charged comment to an opposing player from North Carolina A&T State University. Coach Bob Lake was suspended after freshman, Spencer Brown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, told a black opponent ”at least I know my dad” during their weekend match. Brown was suspended, then Lake was suspended. The school offered no information on what led to the coach’s suspension.
Appalachian State Chancellor Sheri Everts is calling for an assessment of the school’s diversity and inclusion practices saying that Athletic Director Doug Gillin and Chief Diversity Officer Willie Fleming will find a third party to conduct the assessment.
Brown, who is white, was suspended indefinitely after a Sunday match with John Wilson of historically black North Carolina A&T. Appalachian State’s next men’s tennis match is on Friday against N.C. Central, another HBCU.
