Spencer Brown (left) and John Wilson IV faced off in a tennis match Sunday when the alleged incident occurred. (Images courtesy of Appalachian State Athletics/ NCAT Athletics)
An Appalachian State University men’s tennis player has been suspended indefinitely after allegedly telling his Black opponent “at least I know my dad” during a weekend match up.
The university suspended freshman Spencer Brown on Tuesday after news of his outwardly racist comment made its rounds on social media, Buzzfeed News reported. His opponent, John Wilson IV, tweeted about their on-court exchange Sunday.
“Their coach responded by saying, ‘we have a Black guy on our team,’ ” wrote Wilson, a freshman at the historically Black North Carolina A&T. “Black Twitter, do ya thing.”
Hey #NCAT this is Spencer brown, a tennis player at Appalachian state. During our match today, along with other racist comments, Spencer told me, “At least I know my dad.” Their coach responded by saying, “..we have a black guy on our team.”
Black twitter, do ya thing. pic.twitter.com/ZRN61zCU2n
— John Wilson IV (@jpheze) January 29, 2018
Appalachian State officials caught wind of the incident and said it moved to suspend Brown immediately, as he displayed behavior “that was derogatory and offensive.”
“We’ve reached out to #NCAT to convey our apologies on behalf of Appalachian athletics and the university for this conduct of the member of the team,” a tweeted statement from the university read.
Brown wasn’t the only one to get the boot, however. Appalachian’s department of athletics later announced that it had also suspended Coach Bob Lake after further review of the incident.
“I am suspending Coach Lake from all coaching duties effective immediately through the next four matches,” athletics director Doug Gillin said Tuesday afternoon. “The conduct displayed on Sunday does not reflect the values of our tennis program, department and university.”
In a follow-up tweet, Wilson said he has yet to hear from Appalachian State officials but was glad to hear Brown was suspended.
“Thank you for all the help, this is something I’ve always dealt with being a Black tennis player,” he tweeted.
Update: Even though I have yet to be reached out personally from the administration of Appalachian State. The athletics program suspended Spencer indefinitely! Thank you all for the help, this is something I’ve always dealt with being a black tennis player. #NCAT pic.twitter.com/9MqHvTe6fR
— John Wilson IV (@jpheze) January 29, 2018
A university official confirmed Brown is still enrolled as a student at the school.
