Racial slur aimed at former Kentucky basketball player is under investigation
Woodford County Schools officials are investigating a racial slur aimed at the girls’ head basketball coach, who is a former University of Kentucky men’s basketball player, the superintendent said Saturday afternoon.
Former Wildcats player Erik Daniels wrote in a Facebook post that someone had written “n*****” on the rear window of his vehicle after the Woodford County game Friday night.
“As we prepare to return to school this Monday, we are deeply saddened and concerned by an unfortunate incident that occurred Friday evening in our district,” the district said in a post on social media. “At the conclusion of last night’s home girls’ basketball game, a racial slur was found written in the moisture on a window of the vehicle belonging to our girls’ head basketball coach (and teacher at WCHS).”
Daniels, who played for the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team between 2000 and 2004, was named head coach in June.
“In 2020 we still have cowards doing things like this,” Daniels wrote. “But the funny thing is that we laughed about it, because with me playing basketball all over the world this happened a lot.”
Daniels, who was undrafted out of Kentucky, played one season in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings before competing overseas in Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Israel, Croatia and Argentina.
Daniels went on to say that “it doesn’t bother me at all. I’ll keep doing God’s work by educating these kids and preparing them for life. And a little advice for people who do foolish things like this, there are cameras everywhere on school campuses. I’m going to embrace the hate and let everyone else be mad.”
The Woodford County girls lost to Grant County High School 68-56 Friday night.
“It is our highest priority to ensure the safety and security of our staff and students, which includes maintaining a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere,” the Woodford County High School post said. Superintendent Scott Hawkins said the statement was issued on the district’s Facebook page and website.
Law enforcement has been informed and an investigation has already begun, including a review of security camera footage, officials said, adding that they are optimistic the footage will provide valuable information.
“This incident in no way reflects the values and mission of Woodford County Public Schools, and appropriate action will be taken upon a positive identification of the individual,” the post said.
Daniels’ post prompted dozens of responses on Facebook from people upset about the incident.
“Unfortunately there is an abundance of ignorance in this world we live in. God Bless,” a man named Johnny Miller said in a post.
This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 6:05 PM.