The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has sanctioned Connell High School over racist conduct by attendees at a girls' basketball game.
As reported by the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick, Wash., the WIAA placed the school on a one-year probation and fined it $1,000 after video recorded at the May 22 game and posted on Facebook shows two sisters on the visiting Zillah High School team being called "monkey" and subjected to offensive gestures from the bleachers during their respective free-throw attempts.
The state organization penalties were issued after sanctions imposed by the South Central Athletic Conference were appealed. The state organization repealed two regional sanctions, but then added others meant to protect the victims and create long-term change, officials said.
The $1,000 fine is to be used by Connell High School to develop a region-wide Student Sportsmanship Conference for high school students, addressing respect and anti-bias behavior. Connell High School administrators and coaches must complete an implicit bias class, and the high school cannot host competitions this year.
Related: AD Apologizes for Students' Racist Taunts During Game
The WIAA overturned sanctions that banned Connell basketball teams from participating in the postseason and banned parents from attending competitions. There was no evidence of basketball players or parents contributing to the racist acts, the WIAA said.
Related: Connell Gets Postseason Ban, Fan Ban for Racist Taunts
