Watch CBS News

NJ Sports Officials: Insufficient Proof Summit High School Banana Prank Was Racially Motivated

SUMMIT, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The organization that governs high school sports in New Jersey says there was insufficient evidence that a high school football team's prank was racially motivated.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association investigated after North Plainfield High School filed a complaint because the Summit team shoved bananas through a hole in the visiting team's locker room door before a Sept. 13 game. About half of North Plainfield's players are black.

The probe came in response to an exclusive CBS 2 report last month.

"Right away, there was a banana in the door," North Plainfield football player J.T. Valley told CBS 2's Christine Sloan. "And we told our coach, we're like, 'Coach, there's a banana in there.' So we took the banana, and then all of a sudden, they put another one. And we took the banana out, and there was another one in there. And they kept on putting them in there."

The North Plainfield players said they were so traumatized that their coach had to console them.

Summit schools Superintendent Nathan Parker said last month placing bananas in the doorknob is something players have been doing since last year to prevent people from looking in through the doors, which do not have doorknobs.

"It went on to be considered good luck when Summit won a state championship last season," Parker said in a statement.

"There was no intent to be insulting to the North Plainfield football players, and we apologize that they were made to feel that way."

The Courier News of Bridgewater reported that the NJSIAA on Monday said Summit coaches should have stopped the practice because it could be considered offensive.

Summit coaches must undergo sensitivity training, and the captains from both teams must meet to foster reconciliation.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.