FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) – The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith says an
investigation found no evidence that a head coach discriminated against a black basketball player because of his dreadlocks.
Tyler Williams said last month he was dismissed from the team by Coach Jim
Boone over his hair. Boone’s attorney last week denied the allegations.
Chancellor Terisa Riley said Wednesday the university’s internal
investigation did not find “substantial” evidence supporting Williams.
Boone, who’s white, said last month he would “probably not” recruit students with hair like Williams’.
The 22-year-old from Oklahoma said Boone never told him to change his
hairstyle but made him feel “devalued and disrespected.”
A university spokeswoman says the investigation did not determine if Williams was dismissed or quit.
Riley says the school plans to hire a director of campus diversity and create a diversity committee.
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