Ashwaubenon, WI (WTAQ) – One of Hilbert High School’s top girls’ basketball players wasn’t on the court again Tuesday night. She is suspended for five games for a profane social media post directed toward the WIAA.
April Gehl’s post was critical of a WIAA email reminding schools to focus on sportsmanship. The WIAA memo says student sections should not be chanting things like ‘airball’ or ‘fundamentals’ at opposing teams.
Now, some other schools are showing their support for Gehl, and objections over the punishment she is facing and the rules imposed by the WIAA.
At last night’s game between the Ashwaubenon Jaguars and De Pere redbirds, the AHS students protested the new WIAA rules by wearing duck tape over their mouths. Then they removed the tape and chanted the banned chants.
While Hilbert High School parents don’t condone Gehl’s profane social media post, they say they agree with her stance on the WIAA’s sportsmanship rules.
“I just think they are taking away freedom of speech,” said Eric Duchow, a parent of a Hilbert basketball player.
Last month the WIAA sent an email about sportsmanship to schools across the state. Part of it read, “..any action directed at opposing teams or their spectators with the intent to taunt, disrespect, distract, or entice an unsporting behavior in response is not acceptable sportsmanship.”
The WIAA says it only meant for its memo to serve as a friendly reminder.
The WIAA says it didn’t recommend any punishment to Hilbert for Gehl’s profane post. It says any punishment would have been up to the school.
The story has generated national media attention.
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