By Chris Yow
Editor
TRUSSVILLE — Montgomery attorney Donald Jackson, whos is representing Hewitt-Trussville High School basketball coach Jim Sanderson, vigorously disputed allegations of racism directed at the former coach in an alleged complaint posted on the Scribd.com account of Al.com sports writer Josh Bean.
“Jim Sanderson is a great basketball coach and an even better man,” Jackson said.
The complaint alleged a pattern of discrimination at Trussville City Schools and listed several general allegations against Sanderson including yelling at players and bullying minority players.
It was addressed to the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights; the Office of the Attorney General; and the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
The Tribune has confirmed the U.S. Department of Education has contacted Trussville City Schools regarding the matter.
The alleged complaint was posted on the Scribd.com account Oct. 22 following an Oct. 19 Trussville Board of Education meeting in which parents, community members and one varisty basketball player pleaded with the board members to return Sanderson to his post as varsity basketball coach. One parent opposed Sanderson’s return.
On Oct. 30, the document was removed, but not before it was seen by many in the area. Some of the allegations were identical to those sent anonymously to The Trussville Tribune via Facebook, email and through the contact page at TrussvilleTribune.com.
The individual whose name appeared at the top of the document told The Tribune that “it was erroneous information that was posted” and “it was not his information.”
Sanderson’s attorney said the allegations are unfounded.
“The bottom line is, these allegations are baseless,” Jackson said. “They’re entirely without merit. This is a select group of African-American parents who are engaging in the worst form of reverse racial discrimination that I think I’ve ever seen in a public school environment.
“I’m an African-American attorney and my entire practice is sports based,” Jackson said. “I’m the last person that would condone racial discrimination of any type.”
Jackson, who has represented numerous amateur and professional athletes, coaches and administrators, said he felt like Sanderson was caught up in a political battle between the school system and parents.
In a statement emailed to The Tribune, Jackson wrote that he recalled the hiring of Sanderson being met with support at Hewitt-Trussville throughout the community.
“However, a small group of parents with ulterior motives created a hostile environment for Coach Sanderson from the date of his initial employment,” the statement read. “Much of the hostility appeared to have been racially motivated and may have been connected to their desire to have an African American Head Basketball Coach at Hewitt-Trussville.
“It is quite clear that this group was driven by political motives that were unrelated to the best interests of the student-athletes at Hewitt-Trussville and that Coach Sanderson’s reputation is collateral damage to their desire to engage in political gamesmanship.”
Jackson also serves as Adjunct Associate Professor (Sports Law) Cumberland School of Law, Samford University.