As a Rutgers graduate, it disgusts me that this is the way attention is being brought to it. Rutgers Athletics was on an incredible high after learning that it would be joining the Big Ten division next season. However, it looks like a scandal has put a black cloud over the university who is already looking to move passed past scandals including ex-student Tyler Clementi’s suicide caused by another ex-students bullying and Eric LeGrand’s injury on the football field that left him paralyzed.
Mike Rice, at least on the outside, seemed like a coach who looked for player energy. He seemed like a coach who would never settle for less than 100% effort from his team. However, he also seemed like a coach who cared about his players and their growth and more importantly their safety. During the season, he even sent this tweet out:
Apparently, that tweet was not fully accurate. ESPN obtained footage of Rutgers men’s basketball team practice and Mike Rice looks like he could careless about the safety of the players. In the footage, he is seen pegging players, pushing players, and belittling players. The worst part about the footage leaking to the public is Rutgers’ response to it. Athletic Director Tim Pernetti has decided not to fire the coach who was caught on camera abusing players while spewing gay slurs at them. Most people are calling for his head rightfully so, as no good parent would want to let their son play basketball for Rutgers now. Allegations are coming forward that because of the abuse, it caused many recruits to transfer schools including Gil Biruta.
Pernetti is trying his best at controlling this situation, but it is pretty clear that no one is understanding the light punishment Mike Rice will face. I cannot understand his rationalization for keeping a coach who has only brought controversy on this university. Especially when this is a time when they can hire any coach to try and make Rutgers a threat for March Madness, something it has never been. Mike Rice certainly won’t lead Rutgers to any NCAA glory.
