VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The principal of Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach confirmed in a letter to parents that the boys varsity baseball team’s season ended early, resulting from an investigation into allegations of racism.

Principal Melissa George first acknowledged the accusations in a message to baseball families on May 2. She informed families that she made the decision to forfeit the May 2 Kempsville Chiefs varsity baseball game against Princess Anne and explained why.

“After our lengthy investigation after we received allegations of racism on the baseball team earlier in April, we have found that racism, hate speech, and harassment have been an ongoing issue for multiple years.”

Kempsville High School Principal Melissa George

As of that message, she and other school officials she was working with, had not yet decided on the remainder of the season.

A follow-up letter addressed to “Kempsville High School Varsity Baseball Players and Families” was sent on May 6.

That message from Principal George confirmed the remainder of the 2024 Kempsville varsity baseball season would be forfeited. She wrote that she made this decision in collaboration with varsity baseball coach John Penn.

WAVY News 10’s Andy Fox spoke with Coach Penn. He confirmed he is still employed at Kempsville High School, but when asked if he was still the baseball coach, he directed all further questions to the school system.

When Andy asked if there were team members who stood up against racism, Penn said ‘no comment’ and again directed questions to the school.

10 On Your Side reached out to school officials. A spokesperson confirmed that the team forfeited the rest of the season. She would not provide additional information on what she described as “student disciplinary matters,” but did add, “it is our hope that the 2024-25 school year will bring a stronger varsity baseball team that represents the core values of Kempsville High School and VBCPS.”

In her letter, Principal George cited VHSL Rule 27-8-1 for her decision to forfeit the remainder of the season. “Under VHSL Rule 27-8-1, I am compelled as principal to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship and to follow the VHSL handbook and where it does not exist, I must act accordingly. I have reprinted Rule 27-8-1 below.”

27-8-1 PRINCIPAL’S RESPONSIBILITY RULE – Final authority and ultimate responsibility in all matters pertaining to interscholastic activities of each school, both athletic and nonathletic, shall be vested in the principal who acts under authority granted by the division superintendent of schools. The principal’s responsibilities shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

27-8-2 Control:

(1) The principal shall exercise control over all interscholastic contests in which his/her school engages. It is his/her responsibility, as well as that of his/her coaches, faculty members and all representatives of his/her school, to practice the highest principles of sportsmanship in all interscholastic relationships with visiting coaches and official representatives, contest officials, visiting contestants and the general public, as well as to expect a sportsmanlike attitude toward visitors on the part of his/her school and community.

The Virginia Beach NAACP, after learning of the Kempsville High School investigation and decision to forfeit the rest of the varsity baseball season, issued a statement denouncing the use of racist hate speech.

“We call attention to the ongoing acts of hate and racism within the Virginia Beach Public School System at Kempsville High School and are extremely concerned about how this situation has existed for quite sometime. We applaud the brave young men who spoke up in an effort to advocate for equality within this system. It is unfortunate that racism still exist and that our youth have had to endure its ugly head. It must be stamped out everywhere. It is our goal to ensure
that the residents do not live in fear or with undue anxiety, just because they are African American.

We will continue to monitor this situation and look forward to the findings of this ongoing investigation within the Virginia Beach Public School system.

The VB NAACP, in the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, will continue to fight against injustice and racism anywhere in recognition of its threat to justice everywhere. We call upon the administration to take direct action as well.”

Virginia Beach NAACP President Dr. Eric Majette

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.