Oklahoma Kindergartner Banned From Wearing Michigan Shirt in School
An Oklahoma City kindergartner was recently made to go behind a tree and turn his shirt inside out before being allowed to return to school. The kid had the audacity to wear a shirt from a college outside the state of Oklahoma.
5-year old Cooper Barton was told that his University of Michigan T-shirt was unacceptable and that he would have to turn it inside out before he could go back to class. And before you think this was just the request of an overzealous teacher / Oklahoma fan. The demand actually came from higher up. Oklahoma City Public School District policy prohibits students from wearing any “clothing bearing the names or emblems of all professional and collegiate athletic teams (with the exception of Oklahoma colleges and universities.)” The policy, which was adopted in 2005, was put in place as part of the school district’s concerns about growing gang violence and some gangs’ use of logos and clothing from sports teams to identify themselves.
Cooper’s parents say they like Wilson Elementary, where the incident occurred, and are not upset with the principal and school administrators for enforcing the dress code. The Bartons say they will continue to address the issue with the School Board. Oklahoma City Superintindent Karl Springer has said the district will review the dress code policy.
Since news of this story broke, University of Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon is reportedly inviting Cooper to a future UM game and is having a special “inside-out” Wolverines shirt made for him.