Charleston County School Superintendent Nancy McGinley backtracks after school board was going to overrule the firing. Team will no longer violate the civil rights of watermelons. Update to this story.
Via WISTV
Bud Walpole announced Thursday he has accepted the offer to return as the head football coach at Academic Magnet High School.
“I’m relieved and thankful to the school board and community to be coaching again,” said Walpole in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working with the players to make this a learning experience for everyone.”
The Raptors’ head football coach was fired Monday following an investigation by the Charleston County School District into “inappropriate post game celebrations,” by the team.
Charleston County School Superintendent Nancy McGinley says the celebrations involved upperclassmen smashing a watermelon on the ground while the team chanted that sounded “animalistic or monkey-like.”
According to Walpole’s attorney Dwayne Green, the coach never pursed legal action. Green says he was only brought on as an advisor.
McGinley said Wednesday she asked Walpole to resume his coaching duties effective Thursday.
“Taking into consideration the potential value that he will add to our students and the community, given this experience, I am asking him to resume his coaching duties effective Thursday, October 23, 2014,” McGinley said.[…]
Elizabeth Moffley says the board gave McGinley a chance to reverse the decision of firing a Walpole over a celebration involving watermelons which the school district said had racial overtones.
Moffley says the majority of the board feels McGinley made the wrong decision, and were ready to reverse the decision with a vote if McGinley doesn’t act.