High School football coach/athletic director disciplined for using racial slur

ROMULUS, Mich. (WXYZ) - School officials with Summit Academy North in Romulus say the varsity football coach has been punished for using a racial slur.

Coach Rob Beaudrie is also the school's athletic director.

The school confirms he used the "N-word" in front of the team.

"It shows poor sportsmanship and a lack of integrity," a football parent told Action News. She did not want to be identified out of fear of retaliation against her son.

Parents say it happened during warm-ups before last Friday night's game against Old Redford and the word was used about the opponents.

The school will not say what the coach's punishment was, but officials say they took the situation "very seriously".

Team parents say Beaudrie was suspended for just one game, and some feel that the punishment is too light.

While not releasing details of the punishment, school program director Leann Hedke says she has heard from parents who think it is too strict, too lenient or appropriate.

Hedke says school officials believe Beaudrie is "not a racist" and that he did apologize to the players and the parents.

Hedke declined to be interviewed on camera.

An email and message to the coach were not returned.