Asst. AD to Black Student Athlete: 'Gained That Speed Running From Police'

Social Justice

By Kelton Brooks Published: November 29, 2021

Asst. AD to Black Student Athlete: ‘Gained That Speed Running From Police’

A baseball rests on the turf at Alamo Heights High School's baseball field in San Antonio, Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Because of COVID-19 outbreak, the school's season may be canceled. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

In Summary

A star Black high school baseball player transferred from his private school after he received a racist remark from the school’s assistant athletic director.

The Assistant Athletic Director at Iona Prep in New Rochelle, New York told a star Black baseball player who also runs track, “[He] gained that speed by running from the police.”

The racist remark was said by an unnamed administrator. Iona Prep has not revealed the person’s identity, but here is a list of the staff members at the majority white private school.

Tony Humphrey, 16, said the administrator came up to him and asked why he was doing track. Humphrey said his goal was simply to become faster.

“It never hurts to gain speed,” Humphrey said, but added the assistant AD said he gained that speed by running from the police.

“That was racist,” Humphrey said. “There was no reason for him to say that.”

The teen then told his mother about the incident and she withdrew her sone from Iona Prep to a public high school near his family’s home.

Humprey, a junior, has been recruited by and is committed to play for Boston College University after he graduates.

Tony Humphreys, a 16 year old star athlete took his power back & transferred high schools after an assistant athletic director told him he became fast by "running from police." @IonaPrepSports @IonaPrep pic.twitter.com/dWqLWEQUJt
— Christopher 🇺🇸 Proud Dem (@cwebbonline) November 25, 2021

“I decided to leave, because of my current situation, as I’m already committed. I’m already going to [college],” Humphrey said. “I don’t feel like I have to stay at a program where they’re going to look at me different, or feel uncomfortable at a place I have to go to Monday through Friday.”

He also said this was not the first time he experienced racism at Iona Prep.

“There were other instances of racism during my freshman year,” he said. “I took it up with the dean, I took it up with the higher ups, and nothing happened to the other student.”

A walkout took place Tuesday in support of Humphrey.

The school sent out a letter to parents to acknowledged the racist remark and announced they will launch an internal investigation.

“Such comments go against the very mission of the school to develop moral and ethical leaders,” the letter read. “It is behavior that Iona Preparatory does not condone for its students and will not accept from its faculty and staff.”