Six Black Student Athletes Quit Playing Basketball for Eden Prairie After Coach, Who Used a Racial Slur, is Reinstated

Six Black student athletes have quit playing basketball for Eden Prairie High School following the reinstatement of head coach David Flom.

Flom was suspended in early December after using the n-word during a team meeting about what shouldn’t be said online.

He was quietly reinstated six weeks later. The students who quit represent —now former—members of both the high school’s junior varsity and varsity teams.

Students, parents, and community members are angry with school leadership for their decision to reinstate Flom after an investigation. Many brought protest signs to a recent game.

A representative for the school district said in a statement, “Right now, our focus is on supporting students through the end of the season. Our primary goal in everything is ensuring we're fulfilling our mission of inspiring each student every day -- whether that's on or off the court -- and that means we need to continuously listen to multiple perspectives and think holistically about how to best serve students in the program."

At least one student’s family appears to be seeking legal counsel as a result of the incident.

Contact Eden Prairie High School’s principal, Nate Gibbs, if you’d like to reach out about Flom’s reinstatement.

Nate Gibbs, Principal

Nathaniel_Gibbs@edenpr.org

952-975-8011