HS Football - Dauterive suspension

quote:

---

The one-game suspension came after Millet investigated a complaint from a St. John resident who said Dauterive had used the N-word while chastising his predominantly African-American football squad regarding their behavior after losing the Aug. 28 jamboree game at home against St. Charles Catholic High School.

The district's investigation did not indicate that Dauterive called his players the N-word, but that he told them that he overheard their opponent's fans referring to them as such.

Written statements taken from other East St. John coaches, the players and Dauterive, indicate that Dauterive used the word in relaying what he said the fans said after East St. John players stomped off the field, throwing their helmets and kicking a trash can, Wise said.

"(Dauterive) told them that he overheard fans saying, 'Now they are acting like a bunch of n-----s,'" Wise said.

Wise said that use of the slur -- no matter the context -- was inappropriate and that he agrees with the suspension.

"I think (Millet) did the right thing. . . . This is not appropriate, but she worked with him to let the punishment fit the infractions," Wise said. "I'm completely satisfied."

However, board member Albert "Ali" Burl III said while he's glad Dauterive was suspended, he doesn't think it was long enough.

"That's only right, but maybe it should be longer," Burl said. "Maybe it should be permanent."

Burl, who said he hasn't talked with the coaches or players, said the person who filed the complaint said Dauterive did use the racial slur in reference to his players.

"It's not surprising to me," said Burl, who said he asked for an evaluation of Dauterive last football season after hearing of complaints about him cursing at players.

A few months after Burl asked for the evaluation, he said Dauterive claimed that Burl was living out of district and ineligible to hold the 2nd District seat.

However, St. John District Attorney Thomas Daley has said Burl met the domicile requirements for holding the seat.

"This is the behavior he is known for," Burl said of Dauterive's derogatory comment.

"And he's admitting he said it but he's saying he got it from a fan. He's trying to split this community and divert attention away from him. He should be fired."

Burl has asked that the matter be put on the School Board's agenda for discussion in a closed session during Thursday's meeting.

When asked about the suspension Friday night Dauterive only would say that he didn't make the trip to Baton Rouge because he was sick.

---

quote:

---

the only head coaches in the acadiana area that I know of personally for a fact that don't curse at their kids is tommy badon at Westminster and Jim Hightower at STM.

---

quote:

---

call his own players n-bombs

---