Lincoln High varsity cheerleaders, coaches quit

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The cheerleading coaches at Lincoln High School have resigned.

Principal Peyton Chapman confirmed that coaches Tori Cotton and Cher Fuller quit over a disciplinary decision involving a cheerleader who the coaches had demoted.

Alonza Vance was demoted from varsity to junior varsity cheerleading squads as disciplinary measure for allegedly violating a team code of conduct, according to school officials.

Vance told KGW the coaches complained of her attitude but that she felt singled out for racially-motivated reasons. She is the only African-American on the squad.

Principal Chapman overruled the demotion decision and reinstated Vance to the varsity squad.

Fuller and Cotton disagreed with their boss’s decision and resigned, prompting the entire cheerleading squad to quit in what parents called a show of support.

Principal Chapman overruled the coaches decision to demote Vance and reinstated her to the varsity squad.

The cheer club - made up of Lincoln High cheerleaders’ parents - said they supported the coaches decision to resign.

Here is a link to theLincoln Cardinal Cheerleadingsite with a statement on the resignation.

Principal Chapman offered little other than to say the school was investigating Vance’s claims and that until that investigation was done, Portland Public Schools had “zero tolerance” for harassment or discrimination.

The mother of Alonza Vance is an employee of KGW Newschannel 8.

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