A gifted athlete has left a prestigious Westchester County, New York private school following a racist encounter with a member of their staff.
The story was covered by News 12 The Bronx.
16-year old Tony Humphrey was a star player on the baseball team of Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York.
Humphrey had even been recruited by Boston College, where he has committed to attend upon graduating.
Following the end of baseball season, Humphrey signed up to participate on the school's track team in an effort to improve his speed, which Humphrey told News 12 confused a member of the school's administration.
"He comes up to me and says 'Oh, I thought you were already fast as is'."
"And I go, 'yeah, I'm decently fast'."
"And he says, 'Oh, how did you get so fast? The years running from the cops?"
A shocking and highly unsettling remark, particularly as the country continues to grapple with racial bias and police violence against BIPOC.
Humphrey identified the administrator in question as assistant athletic director Bernard Mahoney to News 12.
Humphrey told News 12 he could not and would not stand for such racist stereotypes.
"Part of my job is as an athlete, as a student, as a Black kid is to make sure that people know that stereotypes and things like that aren't true."
After discussing the incident with his mother, they decided it was in Humphrey's best interest to leave Iona Prep to attend public school.
"I decided to leave, because of my current situation, as I’m already committed. I’m already going to [college]."
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."
Humphrey added this was not his first racist encounter at Iona Prep, making his decision to leave the school all the easier.
"There were other instances of racism during my freshman year."
"I took it up with the dean, I took it up with the higher-ups, and nothing happened to the other student."
News 12 reported in June of 2020, a White member of Iona Prep's football team posted racist comments on Snapchat.
Following his departure, Humphrey's former classmates organized a walkout in protest of the racist remarks.
Twitter users also expressed their disgust at the matter as the story began to gain more attention.
Exclusive: Student who withdrew from Iona Prep over racist remark shares his story.
The mind state that it took for this athletic director to think it would be okay to say that to this kid. This is ingrained in our country’s cultural fiber https://t.co/jUBGddQfEx
— JAMAL (@jrashada) November 28, 2021
…always protecting the racist, publicize the Assistant Athletic Director’s name will ya… #IonaPrep #NYC #Racism
Black Athlete Transfers Out of NYC School After Coach Implies 'Running From Cops' Made Him Fast https://t.co/UkFe9nhcYU via @IBTimesSG
— ⏳Ace_P23⏳ (@P23Ace) November 29, 2021
Today's #Racistedu is brought to you by @IonaPrep in new rochelle NY. Also, not naming the racists protects his future opportunities. https://t.co/xlp0k9m18Y
— Meritocracy's Child (@akilbello) November 28, 2021
Oh my the, the racist school is thankful....are you kidding me...the person who spoke to that child in the manner should be ousted!
— Stayathome!! (@motochik72) November 28, 2021
The assistant athletic director's racist behavior is definitely a concern for me. When examining racism within an organization, one must consider both the macro and micro levels to determine who is teaching and furthering racist behavior.
— Dr. Steven Whitaker (@DrSWhitaker) November 29, 2021
Sooooo @IonaPrep is cool with employing racist!?!?!?!....are you kidding me!!!! @NBCNews @CNN @CBSNews @nytimes This school needs to be outed for employing racists.
— Stayathome!! (@motochik72) November 28, 2021
Several expressed they weren't surprised to hear this incident occurred at Iona Prep.
Used to live not far from Iona Prep; this story is not surprising. It's always had a racist reputation. Things won't change there - too much $ there to piss off, if they try to. https://t.co/IZoEgxLMwe
— Jeff Levine (@hoppgroundkid) November 25, 2021
Now folks see why I was going at it with “Iona prep”
Even some of the black coaches they let them white folks talk to them anyway .
My moral compass couldn’t take it
Especially when the kids needed me
I don’t play with racist white folks . They are very arrogant
— Aaqil Ali™️ (@Aaqil_ali_el) November 27, 2021
Students at the school walked out of class in New Rochelle Tuesday after the administrator allegedly made the racist remarks to the Black student. #IonaPrep stop being filthy to children #EndRacism https://t.co/lZLS52Tp9L
— Teressa Raiford (@TeressaLRaiford) November 27, 2021
@IonaPrep so after many complaints by Tony Humphrey of racism by some students & staff, y’all decided to claim your position on racism. Too late bcuz he left and the ONLY reason you did it is you are getting national attention now. You will forever be a racist school in my eyes.
— Sam Sanders (@1BADaddy973) November 27, 2021
Iona Prep's President, Brother Thomas R. Leto, subsequently sent out a letter revealing the administrator in question resigned, though he did not confirm Mahoney was the man in question.
He also went on to say "Iona Preparatory does not condone [racism] for its students and will not accept from its faculty and staff."
"One of the most important aspects of our school community — the acceptance and respect of every student — has been infringed upon."
"On behalf of the administration and staff, I am deeply sorry to this student and those most offended and negatively impacted."
"We remain fully committed to being an open, welcoming, embracing, and nurturing community, where every young man holds a special place in the brotherhood of Iona men."
