Air Academy Homecoming celebrations still on, girls’ flag football to play Colorado’s top team in place of forfeited game
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Air Academy High School community members are asking people to support ongoing Homecoming events despite the original football game being forfeited.
Air Academy High School says Homecoming celebrations are still on despite forfeiting its Homecoming football game against Lutheran High School on Friday.
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The forfeit comes amid ongoing allegations of racist remarks involving the Lutheran High School football program.
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Many students agree that it was the right thing to do.
"Obviously, it's a little disappointing that we're missing our homecoming game, but I feel like as a senior, missing my last homecoming game isn't that big of a deal when we're talking about caring for other people,” Air Academy senior Kemper Davis told Air Academy News.
Despite the football game being canceled, Air Academy said its other Homecoming events will continue as planned, including a flyover, a parachute arrival onto the field and a presentation from the Air Academy Class of 1976.
The school will also hold a flag football game against The Classical Academy, the top-ranked team in the Class 4A division, at 7 p.m. on Friday.
"Tragedies sometimes are great opportunities. My initial reaction was to mourn for the football team. But on the flip side, this is an amazing opportunity for women's sports and for the girls of Air Academy and our Air Academy football team," Air Academy flag football coach Barry Davis told Air Academy News.
Despite initial disappointment, many parents, students and coaches are embracing the opportunity to unite as a school and show up to support the girls' flag football program on Homecoming night.
George Hayward is a band parent and board member who took to social media, rallying the community to come out despite the forfeiture and celebrate Air Academy.
“It’s Homecoming. It's a big deal. It should be special, and it shouldn't make a difference which football team is playing,” Hayward said.
Hayward said 8th graders will join the Air Academy band in the stands to play the pep songs as planned, and band seniors will be honored after the game.
Hayward said the most important thing right now is supporting the Air Academy students.
“Don't let it fall apart because of negativity that's happening elsewhere. It's still our school. Air Academy High. Our families, our kids, our band, our athletes, our field,” Hayward said.
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