Comments on: Why Did Rutgers Wait to Fire Coach After Anti-Gay and Abusive Actions?

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:36:54 +0000

Tolerating an out-of-control bully who uses hate speech is a diversity issue. The AD is a great guy, he made an excellent apology and I don’t think he should lose his job. Murdock’s story is that he was fired for coming forward about Rice’s unacceptable behavior. The thought that the video would remain secret when Rice was a consistent abuser of his players was just foolish.

After Tyler Clementi jumped to his death as a result of harassment over his orientation, our university pledged to be a leader in creating an oasis for our students, faculty and staff. That trust has been violated. It’s the President’s job to speak to the entire community, apologize from the heart and rebuild that trust.

The political vultures attempting to swoop down and chop up Rutgers for their own political gain should look to the areas they represent and do something about the human misery they lord over in cities like Newark.

This terrible incident, and it’s ridiculously long nonresolution, has jeopardized an almost 250-year-old institution and one of the very few good things about New Jersey. Luke Visconti, CEO, DiversityInc

By: Cathy Michels

Cathy Michels — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:03:45 +0000

In my heart of hearts this has nothing do with diversity rather a chance to besmirch the Ad’s name and reputation. Can we just step back from this for a minute and ask why did Eric Murdock wait for so long to release the tape to ESPN?
Could it be his legal case for his contract not being renewed and the settlement he wanted have something to do with this? I am thinking. Legal extortion. Tim Parnetti did everything he could to change the situation at Rutgers basketball. Did he have Coach Rice take Anger Management? Yes.
Did he have his practices monitored so this terrible behavior did not happen again? Yes. Did he listen to legal counsel? Yes. Did he hit the coach in his pocketbook? Yes. Was he so wrong in thinking if Mike Rice changes, it is good for the future?
Let’s look at the senator’s yelling for firing? Could it be they are angry for losing their constituents cash cow Rutgers to New Brunswick and all the the
research and development now a given to New Brusnwick?

By: Phil Seeberg

Phil Seeberg — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:34:03 +0000

I didn’t see the reports or videos, but one thing that I don’t understand is whether the behavior that he was suspended for ended after his anger management classes or if it continued. If he is being fired for old actions, then it is because the suspension was not enough. If it is because his actions/behaviors did not change, then it is all on the coach.

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:19:50 +0000

It’s offensive and incorrect to imply that gay people aren’t as offended by pedophile priests or rapists as heterosexual people. I’ll note that there are far more heterosexual pedophiles and rapists—and that it’s the top officials in the Catholic Church who play three-card monte with pedophiles. Anyone who saw that video of Rice’s behavior has to be appalled. Did you notice he had a lackey standing by to reload his basketball arm after he threw balls at his players? I’m shocked that a father of one of those young men wasn’t waiting for Rice in the parking lot after a practice for a little kinesthetic lesson learning.

I doubt you’d be commenting like this if Rice were using the n-word instead of the f-word (and I’m surprised we haven’t already seen video of Rice extending his hate speech to other groups). You need to go back to church and pray on the concept of loving thy neighbor. I believe that the creator made us equal, and the geneticists agree: There is only ONE human race. We are all equal. There are standards of behavior, and Rice skyrocketed past them.

The Athletic Director apologized yesterday for his attempt at “rehabilitation.” In the cold light of public scorn, it’s very clear that it was a mistake.

This will be the last comment with religious references; I’m not going to allow people of different beliefs to have to fight it out to defend their beliefs on my website. Take it somewhere else. Luke Visconti, CEO, DiversityInc

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:59:12 +0000

One question unanswered is: How was Rice behaving after the suspension, the fine, and the anger management counseling?

By: Franklin E Rutledge

Franklin E Rutledge — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:41:12 +0000

I come from an ethnicity that had to deal with legal unlawful human hangings, legal racial slurs, legal fire hosing, past and present legal discriminations, so I know something about name callings. Fire him on the spot because he used the n-word or the gay f-word is an indication that society doesn’t believe in rehabilitation. I thank God that he sees us as sinners and offer us his Spirit to help us become a better person. “Fire him,” is the cry of those that don’t have the power of God to help him. Where was the homosexual community after they learned that the children in Connecticut were being raped by the two homosexual men, and where were they when the homosexual priests were raping children? I tell you were they were at, they were silent, because they protect they own, even in sexual abuse. This man deserves a chance of becoming a better man. Someone needs to help him. I believe in the holiness and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. His death gives us the opportunity of following him. They spat on him, but he said, “Father, forgive them.” They shouted louder, “crucify him, crucify him.” But, because of his love for man, in righteousness, he knew he had the power to help them change from their sinful ways. Think for a moment, do we have power to help people change, or should we just ‘Fire them on the spot?’

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:40:41 +0000

ESPN interviewed Gil, he’s Lithuanian – he said the coach didn’t hate him as a player but as a person. His nickname was “the Lithuanian %$g”. Sad.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:38:12 +0000

Just for the record, many of us RU grads didn’t like the RU men’s basketball coach for various reasons that (until yesterday) appeared to be unrelated to his coaching behavior. Here’s an actual dialog between myself and a former roommate from Monday, BEFORE the news broke:

Me:
Oh, and that other guy I couldn’t think of who transferred out was Gilvydas Biruta. He was ineligible this season. I think he will be playing at URI next year.
Him:
Oh, is that where he went?
URI. Not a big bb school.
Me:
I guess he REALLY wanted O-U-T.
Wait for the end of the season. I have a feeling that Rice might get replaced.

Well, now we know WHY Gil left the program. And I didn’t have to wait until the NCAAs were over to see Rice ousted.

The next question is, of course, does Rutgers replace the Athletic Director as well? At best, he made a big mistake, thinking that the combination of fine/suspension/counseling was enough. Obviously, it was not.

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:27:47 +0000

Coaches are, in essence, teachers. Can you imagine a teacher in a classroom behaving like that? What was Pernetti thinking? Let me guess, Bobby Knight won games or since Pernetti hired Rice, firing him would mean he made a mistake in hiring him. It really is unbelievable in this day and age that Rice was kept on ESPECIALLY since Pernetti knew he had anger/behavioral issues BEFORE he hired him.

By: G E Diego

G E Diego — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:47:34 +0000

The University caved in to media and public perception. The coach was not a winner anyway-cut him from the roster.