Young Rays fan, 12, pays big price for Mohawk haircut

Fill out this form to email this article to a friend

Ellenton seventh-grader Zachary Sharples loves the Tampa Bay Rays. So much so that he got a Mohawk that has (perhaps unfortunately) become the rallying hairdo for the surging baseball team. That style might be hot at the Trop. But it didn't go over so well at Lincoln Middle School. The Bradenton Herald reports it this way: Before Zachary went to bed, he made sure to wash off the dye so he wouldn't get in trouble at school the next day. But the boy's 1-inch Mohawk still earned him an in-school suspension Monday, said his father, Kevin Pennington. Zachary was told he violated the dress code. "I did nothing but sat there," Zachary said Tuesday. "We couldn't talk; it was stupid." Zachary was given two choices by the school, Pennington said. He can either shave his head to be allowed back into his classes, or let his hair grow out — in in-school suspension.

A Rays rally is scheduled tonight at the TradeWinds Island Resorts. Featured entertainment will be — dial up your cowbell —Blue Oyster Cult lead singer Buck Dharma, along with Cheap Trick lead singer Robin Zander and the Greg Billings Band. The event also will feature videos about the Rays' run to the American League Championship Series, a sand sculpture, a bounce house and a fireworks display. The event starts at 5 p.m. at the Tradewinds, 5500 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach. It's free, but hotdogs, hamburgers and beverages will be available for purchase. Parking will be available for $10 in nearby lots.

At least according to this T-shirt now being sold by a Boston fan site, chowdaheadz.com. Wonder how many of these will show up at the Trop?

Comments on this article

by mike	Oct 15, 2008 4:51 PM
Good for the school. Nice role model parents. The rules are the rules.

by Duane	Oct 13, 2008 2:07 PM
Hope you have a lawyer... you have all my support.. this is totally rediculous for the school to treat you this way.. GO Rays..Zach..you did nothing wrong.. the system has done YOU wrong.. we need more real people like you that SUPPORT

by Joseph	Oct 13, 2008 1:49 PM
How backwards. Dress code schools are prisons and serve the parents' needs more than the kids. I feel for the boy!

by Memnoch	Oct 13, 2008 12:19 PM
The sad part if this story is that the principal still has a job. * Note- When the real morons of the world expose themselves aren?t we suppose to remove them?

by Marty	Oct 13, 2008 12:19 PM
I don't begrudge the attention given to Zachery. But I'm surprised that the Times hasn't noted the Channel 10 story of kids at Holy Family School and their "new math"--6 = 500+, donating one canned good to the poor for each Rays' run scored on 10/5.

by jason	Oct 13, 2008 12:18 PM
you've gotta be kidding me - the state's academic standards are so high that this is all they have to worry about? How about caring more about grades than attacking baseball and apple pie? What's next, Gramma?

by Linda	Oct 13, 2008 12:18 PM
If it's a rule that they are not to have a mohawk while attending school....well a rule is a rule.

by Brad	Oct 13, 2008 12:18 PM
Punishment for individuality (and supporting the community's team). Nice job Sheeple!

by Brian	Oct 12, 2008 7:08 PM
He was suspended because his hair was offensive. That is WRONG. Who make that judgment. What about a large afro, or a ponytail, where does it end, and where is freedom of speech? This is ridiculous..no wonder our schools stink!

by J.	Oct 12, 2008 1:17 PM
This is what we get for voting in idiots to run our government and schools. Both Dems & Reps are power hungry liars. They want the next generation to be complete lemmings so they are easier to control. We need a 3rd & 4th party so we can start over.

by Hank	Oct 12, 2008 12:15 PM
I wonder if "Dreads" are also banned?

by opie	Oct 10, 2008 11:03 AM
Prisoners have more rights than kids at these schools.I think some teachers should get suspension for their attitude.Dont judge the book by its cover..

by tanya	Oct 10, 2008 11:03 AM
I work in a call center for a mortgage company. People do have mohawks. Some have emblems shaved intheir heads. Big deal.

by Carol	Oct 10, 2008 11:03 AM
It is ridiculous to think that a school has nothing better to do with their per hour or salary dollars than to waste it on a kid with a mind of his own. Let's discourage thinking outside of the box and become mindless automated hubots.

by hall monitor	Oct 10, 2008 11:03 AM
This story made http://detentionslip.org! Check it out for all the wild headlines from our schools.

by Tee Cee	Oct 10, 2008 9:27 AM
MJ, Have you seen the front office of the Rays? These professionals going to work with Mohawks. I am not talking about the players. I did not know you CAN NOT wear a Mohawk to a job interview.

by J	Oct 10, 2008 9:27 AM
So what happens if he dyes it? Firing squad? Total over-reaction by the school.

by Edwin	Oct 9, 2008 8:26 PM
Nice to see that the Florida schools are still emphasizing blind conformance to arbitrary rules, rather than creativity and enthusiasm. And you wonder why the south has such a bad reputation for intelligence.

by MJ	Oct 9, 2008 8:23 PM
I find this resonable... All the schools are trying to do is get a kid ready for the real work... Would you wear a mohalk to a job interview?

by Phil	Oct 9, 2008 2:40 PM
u teachers are sik. get a life.

by Think About It	Oct 9, 2008 2:40 PM
I really dislike the overrated business. If the Rays are overRAYted, doesn't that make Boston that much worse since the Rays have a better record then them? Duh

by Mike	Oct 9, 2008 2:40 PM
Even as a Sox fan, I find that ridiculous. Keep the mohawk until the Rays are eliminated! (4 games from now!)