Following a series of legal communications this week, an administrator from Lincoln High School informed parents that a district inquiry revealed no proof that boys basketball coach Heather Seely-Roberts employed homophobic remarks or racist language. This accusation, which Seely-Roberts has refuted, emerged earlier this week in a tort claim initiated on behalf of four students […]
Following a series of legal communications this week, an administrator from Lincoln High School informed parents that a district inquiry revealed no proof that boys basketball coach Heather Seely-Roberts employed homophobic remarks or racist language.
This accusation, which Seely-Roberts has refuted, emerged earlier this week in a tort claim initiated on behalf of four students at Lincoln High School.
The tort claim, indicating an intent to take legal action, charged Seely-Roberts with using homophobic expressions, making racist statements, and retaliating against players who participated in offseason club basketball with a different coach, as well as against players whose parents voiced concerns about her coaching.
In counteraction, Seely-Roberts filed her own tort claim, asserting that the initial claim was a tactic for parents to target her after their children did not secure a place on the varsity team at Lincoln. Seely-Roberts also alleged that Portland Public Schools did not adequately shield her from parental harassment.
On Friday evening, Lincoln athletic director Matt Wiles communicated via email to the basketball athletes’ parents, providing an update on the matter.
“As you can probably imagine, this is a challenging situation with multiple and diverse viewpoints,” the email from Wiles states. “However, we all concur that supporting our student athletes is crucial, and that we collectively wish to create an environment at LHS that fosters respect and promotes their development as students and athletes.”
Wiles further noted that the Portland Public Schools investigation into Seely-Roberts uncovered no evidence of any homophobic or racially biased conduct.
“We regard reported issues with seriousness,” Wiles mentioned, “and as parents of team members, we want to assure you that PPS’s investigation did not reveal any findings of homophobic or racially biased behavior within the LHS basketball program.”
A prior investigation conducted by PPS concerning retaliation allegations was mostly inconclusive, noting that some evidence of retaliation was found but no disciplinary measures were taken.
Seely-Roberts serves as both the boys basketball coach at Lincoln and as a physical education instructor at the Southwest Portland institution.
Additionally, she lodged a formal grievance with the school district in October, requesting an inquiry into one of the families associated with the tort claim against her.
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— Nik Streng reports on high school sports in Oregon. Contact him at nstreng@oregonian.com or @NikStreng
