NJSIAA Urges Jefferson, Dover To Resolve Basketball Controversy

JEFFERSON, NJ — The NJSIAA had a clear message to Dover and Jefferson on how it was going to address the alleged chanting of racially charged comments at Friday's game: Work it out amongst yourselves before we have to get involved.

The NJSIAA issued a statement after both schools submitted reports to the governing body about the Jan. 28 game, where Jefferson students allegedly chanted "build the wall" and "ashy knees" at the Dover team. Dover has a predominantly African-American and Latino student body.

"The schools have been instructed to meet and come forward with appropriate action plans to satisfy both the letter and spirit of the NJSIAA sportsmanship policy. If they are unable to fulfill that obligation, the matter will go to the controversies committee of their own conference, the New Jersey Athletic Conference. If necessary, NJSIAA will convene its controversies committee, which will intercede as necessary," said the NJSIAA executive director, Steven Timko (you can read the full letter below.)

>>>Read More: 'Build The Wall' Chants Cause Controversy At NJ Basketball Game

NJSIAA shared the reports filed with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights in the Attorney General's Office.

Timko also spoke about the difficulties of keeping high school sports civil.

"Frankly, given the fan culture at the professional and even college level, it’s a constant battle to reinforce that high school athletics, while entertaining, are not entertainment. Rather, they’re an extension of the classroom," Timko said.

Superintendents from both schools spoke out against the incident in statements issued Monday.

"I personally feel a sense of anger and frustration that our students were subjected to speech which was discriminatory and hateful in nature. This cannot be tolerated and will not stand," Dover Superintendent Bob Becker wrote.

"Unfortunately, the actions of a few have now tarnished the reputation of an outstanding student body, school, and community and for that, I am very sorry," wrote Patrick Tierney, the Jefferson Township School District superintendent. "Jefferson Township High School has over 1,000 students and to admonish all of them, for the actions of one or a group, is unfortunate."

Controversy about the chants bubbled over online, with comments on a Facebook post about the incident escalating into fights between Dover and Jefferson community members (you an read more about that here).

NJSIAA's Full Statement

There is no place in interscholastic sports for any individual associated with a member school, be they a spectator, student-athlete, or staff member, who engages in harassing verbal or physical conduct related to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. NJSIAA’s policies – which were among the first in the nation of their type – clearly outline expectations and punishments. They also detail the association’s ongoing training programs and communication protocols that provide a framework for addressing such issues.

The NJSIAA was alerted to a situation involving Jefferson Township and Dover high schools. Reports on the matter have been submitted by both schools, and the association has shared these with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights in the Attorney General's Office.

The schools have been instructed to meet and come forward with appropriate action plans to satisfy both the letter and spirit of the NJSIAA sportsmanship policy. If they are unable to fulfill that obligation, the matter will go to the controversies committee of their own conference, the New Jersey Athletic Conference. If necessary, NJSIAA will convene its controversies committee, which will intercede as necessary.

Frankly, given the fan culture at the professional and even college level, it’s a constant battle to reinforce that high school athletics, while entertaining, are not entertainment. Rather, they’re an extension of the classroom. Adults – administrators, coaches, officials, teachers, parents, and journalists – need to be mindful of the distinctions between the different levels of sport.

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