| Rutgers Sweeping it Under the Rug |
| By Fred Perdue April 5, 2013 Did Rutgers learn nothing from the poor handling by administrators in the Penn State scandal? The Scarlet Knights have removed men's basketball coach Mike Rice after public outcries related to videos showing him abusing players during practice. Athletic director Tim Pernetti had reviewed the video and decided not to fire Rice late in 2012. Instead, he felt that a suspension would help to correct Rice's ways. But then there were yesteday's comments by Pernetti on ESPN. The current -- for how much longer? -- Rutgers athletic director stated that he knew this day would come; when the videos would become public. Pernetti went on to declare that he expected a review would take place at that time as well. There's one problem though. The videos didn't change from then to now. If Rice's actions are worthy of termination now, weren't they just as dispicable then? Of course they were and of course nothing changed -- except for political pressure and public relations. Without explicitly stating it, Pernetti admitted that he tried to sweep the matter under the rug. An admission that a review would likely come once the video became public means that he knew this day was coming -- a day where Rice would be fired for his conduct. The only change in this equation is the presence of public knowledge. A man in a position of authority tried to pretend away the seriousness of how student-athletes were being treated by their coach, possibly for fear of the backlash that would occur in the public relations aspect of Rutgers University. For Pernetti, a secondary review isn't necessary. Now only one thing remains in need of change: The Rutgers athletic director's position. |
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