Chants for Donald Trump Still Linger in Iowa — but Not for the Reasons You Might Think

Chants for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump are still being heard in Iowa weeks after the state's Republican caucus, but some are using the billionaire's name to mock a diverse school's basketball team.

In rural Iowa, diversity is not all that common. However, one high school in Perry, Iowa, stands apart from most. Perry High School is 48 percent minority, according to principal Dan Marburger. The school's basketball court boasts Latino, African-American and Native American players.

Players on the Perry High School basketball team. (Image: WHO-TV)

"It's all about who you are as a person and that’s what is great about a small town like Perry," head basketball coach Ned Menke told WHO-TV.

However, that diversity is apparently not something everyone celebrates.

According to players, chants of, "Trump, Trump, Trump," were shouted out as opposing schools sought to intimidate the Perry team members by reciting some of the things Trump has said at his rallies regarding immigrants and their children.

The mean-spirited taunts have hurt both Perry students and the community. "It's honestly disrespectful. That's how I take it. I hear it during the game, on and off the court. Everywhere I go," senior student Shammond Ivory said.

"We are all aware of racism, it's alive and well in small portions, but it's alive and well and it's just hurtful to see that's what they resort to," Perry student section leader Kevin Lopez added.

Marburger also said the school had an "issue" a couple weeks ago with its Instagram account. That problem has since been resolved. Regardless, Ivory says these moments only push him to do even better.

"As soon as I hear something like that, it just triggers me and it makes me strive for more and to do it for my team, coaches and my community," Ivory said.

In response to the problem, the school has placed a list of sportsmanship traits at the front of the Perry gymnasium.

Sportsmanship signs at the entrance of Perry gymnasium. (Image: WHO-TV)

The signs greet every person who comes into the gymnasium, and the team hopes opposing teams will strive to meet those traits, but if they don't, Perry players hope the way they interact will change the way people think about race.

"It’s not about color. We are all equal," Ivory said.

Dallas Center-Grimes Activities Director Steve Watson confirmed the chants at Monday night's game. He said the issue has been addressed at the school, but declined to comment about whether or not any disciplinary action had been taken.

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