Two Local Highschools Under Investigation

The fight is on videotape, but what started it and how thoroughly it was investigated is less clear.<br/><br/>Both school districts consider it a closed case but one of the Tulsa players mothers says she's

Friday, April 1st 2005, 4:32 pm

By: News On 6

The fight is on videotape, but what started it and how thoroughly it was investigated is less clear.

Both school districts consider it a closed case but one of the Tulsa players mothers says she's not satisfied.

Muriel Burch, Players Mother: "We're going to exhaust every avenue we can to get to justice."

Muriel Burch believes the situation that led to the fight, and the extent of the punishment, was influenced by racism.

Burch: "Immediately when they got off the bus they were bombarded with racial slurs, it was a very hostile environment."

Claremore's superintendent denies that. Mike McClaren said "I take issue with that - that's not the case. He says he doesn't understand how the district was implicated because none of the people bringing the complaints are students of Claremore."

Claremore suspended 3 players for 2 games. Tulsa suspended three players for the rest of the year, but the punishment was appealed and reduced.

The investigation will cover two claims: that TPS retaliated against Burch's son because she complained moving the game to Claremore was discriminatory and that the field was a racially hostile environment.

What was originally a home game for TSST was moved to Claremore at the request of TPS.

Spokesman John Hamill said because the district hadn't seen the complaint - "this is something we'll have to study. He added the district has a steller record on civil rights

But Muriel Burch believes the fight - and the punishment - were prompted by racism.
The federal investigation doesn't mean her claims have merit, just that they'll be examined further.