After being put in the spotlight by the actions of an announcer, the Norman High School women’s basketball team made news on its own terms when it won the Oklahoma 6A state championship.
The Tigers (19-0) ended their perfect season with a 48-37 victory over Bixby on Saturday.
Norman gained national attention after the racist words of a broadcaster were heard before the team’s game in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
The incident occurred when “The Star-Spangled Banner” started playing. The broadcasters told their listeners on the NFHS Network broadcast that they would be back after a break and one of them, unaware that the audio was still live, used a bad word and an epithet while the Norman musicians knelt.
“Are they on their knees? F — them,” said Matt Rowan. “I hope Norman gets his ass kicked … N-word fucking.”
On Friday, Rowan apologized.
“During Norman High School’s women’s basketball game against Midwest City, I made inappropriate and racist comments, believing that the microphone was off; however, let me state immediately that there is no excuse that such comments should never have been made. “said Rowan in a statement.
He added that a medical condition may have contributed to the explosion.
“I have to say that I have type 1 diabetes and, during the game, my sugar skyrocketed,” explained Rowan. “Although I do not excuse my remarks, it is not uncommon when my sugar jumps that I get disoriented and I often say things that are inappropriate and offensive. I do not believe I would have made such horrible statements without my sugar spike.”
The Oklahoma High School Activities Association and the NFHS Network also issued statements apologizing for the comments.
Kneeling during the anthem during sporting events in the United States has become a familiar way for athletes to express themselves, often protesting racial or social injustice. Norman High School superintendent Nick Migliorino said the school district supports students’ right to express themselves freely.
“We condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers,” said Migliorno on Friday. “We will do everything in our power to support and elevate our team and everyone affected by this incident.”
Norman again knelt down during the anthem before Saturday’s state title game, doing so while wearing T-shirts that said “THAT’S WHY WE HELP.”
The Tigers have now won two consecutive state titles. Norman won in 2019 and no championships were held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.