Volume II No. 30
 02-21-04
 When Simple Becomes Complicated
 { A Hopelessly Mismanaged Football Program
   At The University Of Colorado }
 author: Vance Cureton
 © Copyright 2004

 What could possibly be difficult about the game of college 
 football? All that's seemingly necessary is a few football 
 scholarships, a stadium to play in, a conference to compete 
 within against other schools, and a coach who's primary mission 
 is to instruct his players in the fundamentals of the game of 
 football, while at the same time, developing those teenaged 
 boys into young men. 

 But as any human being who has lived longer than a day can 
 attest to, that which is simple can become complicated in a 
 hurry.

 The football program at the University of Colorado has become 
 tainted by an ugly scandal involving alleged sex parties, strippers,
 and sexual harrasment of women around campus. And the situation 
 has only become worsened in the past few days because Gary
 Barnett - the head football coach - reacted in a bizarre and totally 
 inappropriate manner when asked to comment upon a report that 
 a young female place kicker { formerly of his team } was allegedly 
 raped by one of her teammates a couple of years ago.

 Instead of responding in a reasoned and thoughtful way, Coach 
 Barnett went on a tirade that the alleged rape victim was only a 
 "girl" and a bad football player who couldn't kick the ball through 
 the uprights. And was therefore not respected by her teammates.

 Katie Hnida - the young woman claiming rape - deserved more than 
 that irrational response from her former coach. No wonder she's at 
 another school now.

 If a head football coach can react with such a total lack of empathy
 for a woman claiming to have been physically violated, it is not a 
 stretch to presume that the coach has communicated this callous 
 attitude towards women to his players whether intentionally or not.

 Clearly then, the fault lies not with the team but with a coach who 
 has allowed an environment of rank sexism and misogyny to flourish 
 in a program that is under his direction. And if this isn't bad enough, 
 the University of Colorado already had an unsavory reputation as a 
 party school. "Wink" - we all know what that means. Colorado was 
 the place potential recruits came to get laid, and maybe squeeze 
 in a little actual conversation about football in the meantime.

 Such a reputation may be good deal for Colorado amongst "dreamy-eyed" 
 high school athletes around the country who can't wait to get away 
 from home and into some coed's pants. But, it is a bad thing for an 
 institution of higher learning who's purpose should be about preparing 
 young people to succeed in life. And to go about their business as
 compassionate, responsible, and respectable adults.

 So far { at the time this article was written } SIX young women have 
 come forward to claim that they have been raped by Colorado football 
 players. Or individuals with links to the football program. Coach Barnett 
 has been suspended with pay and replaced by an interim football coach. 
 -- His insensitive remarks about Katie Knida should have gotten him 
 fired, outright. But University President Elizabeth Hoffman, instead, 
 is going forward with an "investigation."

 Any school program where an escort service was repeatedly dialed
 from a cell phone that was assigned to a former football aide, where 
 an adult entertainment service claims that they have provided strippers 
 for football recruitment parties, and where the football coach apparently 
 believes that "girls" should be dressed in cheerleader uniforms and 
 not on his team, has a tremendous credibility problem.

 What parent of any kid - male or female - would want to send their 
 child away from home and into such a corrosive and corrupting environment. 
 The people of the state of Colorado are good people. They deserve 
 a respectable football program at the university their tax dollars help 
 to pay for.

 A football program that is simple of purpose, and enjoyable to watch 
 without the fans having to worry about tawdry off-the-field issues.

 University President Elizabeth Hoffman is not blind. She can see the 
 harm that's being done to her school. She needs to get out her broom
 right now and sweep away the trash. If for political reasons she's not 
 willing, undoubtedly, there are a lot of parents in the state who would 
 gladly stand in for her.
 

 ReadingPost.Com
 © Copyright 2004

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