Cleburne Broadcaster Accused of Calling Players “Cougroes” at High School Football Game in Arlington

The Arlington School District has suspended ties with a radio station after a Cleburne sports broadcaster was accused of referring to Seguin High football players as "Cougroes" and jesting about a cheerleader's weight.The Fort Worth Star-Telegram said Mark Banton of JacketRadio.com admitted being one of the broadcasters for last week's Cleburne-Seguin game but would neither confirm nor deny making the remarks."I am aware of the accusations and I have nothing to say about it," Banton told the newspaper. Pressed about whether he would continue to call high-school games, he said, "I guess you'll have to tune in to find out."Arlington district officials reported the incident to the University Interscholastic League, which oversees high-school athletics in Texas, and said it would no longer let the station call its games.District spokeswoman Leslie Johnston said the broadcaster made racial remarks throughout the contest, which the Seguin Cougars won, 30-16.Cleburne School District officials are looking into the reports."Cleburne ISD does not condone unethical, unprofessional or unacceptable comments," said Cleburne district spokeswoman Lisa Magers.African American students comprise 37.5 percent of Seguin's student body but just 3.4 percent at Cleburne.In audio obtained by the Star-Telegram, the broadcaster can also be heard talking about a cheerleader. "Can we talk about that Seguin cheerleader ...? What do you think [inaudible] should do with that?... Jenny Craig has a lot to do -- a lot of work to do with her."The Seguin-Cleburne broadcast has since been removed from JacketRadio.com's website archives.Banton, a 1972 Cleburne High graduate, was selected to serve as the marshal of the Cleburne homecoming parade on Thursday, the Star-Telegram said.  Continue reading...