Victor Valley football head coach Thomas Riley addresses program suspension
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Thomas Riley isn’t looking for a way out of Victor Valley’s one-week football suspension.
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He isn’t publicly challenging the district’s decision or arguing that the Jackrabbits should be allowed to play this Friday night.
Two days after the Victor Valley Union High School District announced the football program would be suspended for a week and forced to forfeit its Sept. 18 game against Brea Olinda, Riley is taking responsibility for what happened and trying to turn the page.
“I am deeply disappointed in some of the ways we celebrated immediately after the game, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” said Riley, who is in his second season as head coach at Victor Valley. “I must do a better job teaching grace and humility.”
Riley also made clear that he remains proud of what his players accomplished on the field despite the controversy.
Victor Valley defeated Apple Valley 20-7 in the 56th annual Bell Game on Sept. 11, earning its second straight victory in the rivalry after a 12-game losing streak.
“I am extremely proud of my young men and their tremendous work on the football field securing another Bell Game victory for Victor Valley High School,” Riley said. “They played hard for 48 minutes and earned the win.”
But what happened immediately afterward became the focus of the weekend.
The district announced Sept. 13 that Victor Valley’s varsity players and coaching staff would be suspended from football activities for one week after members of the team displayed what VVUHSD officials described as unsportsmanlike behavior toward Apple Valley and its fans.
On Tuesday, the VVUHSD officials provided the Daily Press with additional details about what led to the decision.
District officials said administrators reviewed security video from the stadium, social-media posts, photographs and video taken by staff, published media photos and eyewitness accounts from administrators and staff members who attended the game.
According to the district, several Victor Valley players were seen and photographed holding up their middle fingers toward the opposing sideline and stands. Officials also said several players ran toward the Apple Valley sideline following the game and taunted fans, staff and players.
“Engaging with the opposition in this manner is not only unsportsmanlike, it also poses potential safety threats to our students, staff and fans,” the district said.
The district said it expects student-athletes to follow the CIF-Southern Section Code of Ethics, including showing respect for opponents and refraining from profanity, vulgarity and offensive language or gestures.
Riley apologized to the district, its Board of Trustees and the community.
“The entire Victor Valley football team will learn from this and do much better in the future,” Riley said. “We look forward to continuing this season after our suspension and also look forward to defending the Bell next season.”
District says decision is final
While Riley has focused on moving forward, at least one Victor Valley family has vocally questioned how the district arrived at a punishment that affects the entire team.
Kina Buchanan sent district and district personnel an email Sunday asking them to identify the policy or authority used to suspend all varsity players and coaches.
Buchanan also questioned whether individual students accused of misconduct were identified, whether players who were not involved should face the same punishment and what review or appeal process was available.
“I am not requesting that any substantiated misconduct by any Victor Valley student be disregarded,” Buchanan wrote. “I am requesting clarification to the legal and policy basis for imposing a consequence on the entire team, including students who may not have participated in any misconduct.”
Buchanan said she received a phone call Monday from Assistant Superintendent Ratmony Yee, who told her district officials had reviewed film, social-media posts and behavior witnessed during the game before reaching their decision.
Buchanan said she was also told the district would not reverse the punishment.
The district confirmed that position in its response to the Daily Press.
“The decision is final and will not be reversed,” the district said.
Superintendent Carl Coles addressed the school staff Monday and personally met with the football team’s captains, according to the district. Victor Valley Principal Darius Robinson also met with the team and further explained the situation.
The district said parents and guardians who have contacted officials have received verbal or written responses.
‘Forks down’ was not part of punishment
One of the questions raised by Buchanan centered on the three-finger “forks down” gesture used by some Victor Valley players.
In her email to district officials, Buchanan said she had been informed that a board of trustee member may have characterized the gesture as gang-affiliated.
The gesture is commonly used in sports as a taunt of “forks up,” which is associated with the Arizona State Sun Devils. Apple Valley High School also uses the Sun Devils nickname.
Buchanan emphasized that she could not confirm such a statement was made and asked the district to clarify whether any interpretation of the gesture as gang-related played a role in the punishment.
The district’s response was direct.
“The ‘forks down’ gesture was not a factor in the suspension,” the district said.
The district also separated the football punishment from another incident that circulated online following the game.
Video and photos showed a Jackrabbit mascot walking in front of the Apple Valley stands while displaying a middle finger toward fans.
“The mascot’s actions are not tied to the football team’s punishment,” the district said. “However, we expect all students and staff to represent our school and program in a positive way, and we are addressing these concerns with everyone involved.”
Looking to turn the page and move on
Riley’s message to his players is that the Bell Game victory can still be celebrated.
But so can the lesson that came afterward.
“We look forward to continuing this season after our suspension,” Riley added.
The district echoed that sentiment.
“We remain proud of the VVHS football team’s outstanding performance in Friday’s game,” district officials said. “We have full faith in our coaches and players to learn and grow from this situation, and we look forward to a successful Desert Sky League campaign.”
Victor Valley's next game will be at home on Sept. 25 against Lancaster, before heading to Barstow for the Axe Game on Oct. 2.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victor Valley football head coach Thomas Riley addresses program suspension