The unfortunate part of the Rutgers men’s basketball situation is not the embarrassment it brings to the University, the coach or the athletics director. The most tragic element is that student-athletes were put into such a situation in the first place.
USA Today writer Christine Brennan wrote an opinion essentially calling for the Athletics Director’s job. Rightly so. He knew about what was going on in December and even though he sanctioned coach Mike Rice with a suspension and a $50,000 fine, he didn’t fire Rice at the end of the season. Details are not clear about who outside of the athletics department knew about the video evidence of Rice’s tactics with his team, but clearly the decision ended with the athletics director Tim Pernetti. He learned of the issue from a Rutgers assistant basketball coach, viewed the video and levied his sanctions against Rice all without any fanfare. This is understandable, but inexcusable.
The critical issue here is that despite such demeaning experiences on the practice court, no player spoke up. Not one student-athlete went to the athletics director or anyone else to share their concern.
Student-athletes, especially those on athletics scholarships, are fearful of speaking up or out. The may lose their scholarship. The coach may hold criticism against them and therefore expressing concern jeopardizes a student-athlete’s standing and, perhaps, their future. Student-athletes do not know who they can turn to with their concerns.
This is the basis for our work with student-athlete assessment. As an objective third-party, we provide a safe environment for student-athletes to share their concerns. Their identities remain confidential, but our analysis provides administrators with tue insight into the student-athlete experience.
We utilize focus group and survey data to provide administrators with an in-depth portrait of student-athlete life. It’s important to note that much of what student-athletes report is positive, but this information is just as valuable. Contact us to discuss how we can help provide you with information that could prevent your program from becoming the next Rutgers.
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