High school soccer player slammed for political pep talk

By The Associated Press

10.23.02

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MARQUETTE, Mich. — A judge has issued a restraining order against high school officials who suspended a soccer co-captain for making political statements during a pep rally.

Probate Court Judge Michael Anderegg's order yesterday allowed Marquette Senior High School student Troy Stewart to travel and compete in state soccer playoffs yesterday afternoon in Traverse City.

School officials had suspended Stewart, 17, for a day after the senior refused to stop talking about the looming war with Iraq during an Oct. 18 team pep rally.

Principal Robert Anthony issued Stewart a one-day, in-school suspension for insubordination following the homecoming rally.

Stewart was scheduled to address the student body but unexpectedly launched into a speech about a possible U.S. war with Iraq, The Mining Journal reported.

Anthony said he interrupted the speech and warned Stewart he could be suspended if he continued to air his political views. He suspended the youth afterward.

Stewart's mother, Sheryl Stewart of Marquette, appealed to Superintendent Patrick Smith, but Smith supported the principal.

She then turned to the courts, where Stewart alleged the school district violated their policies and his free-speech rights and that "he will be irreparably harmed by not being able to participate in the soccer tournament."

Anderegg, a probate judge, issued the order because he said no Marquette County Circuit Court judges were available. The request needed "resolution immediately" because of the timing of the soccer tournament, he said.

Smith, the superintendent, said he was surprised by the restraining order.

"I've been in this business 40 years and I've never seen anything like this," Smith said.