Oklahoma racism

[Guest]

The University of Oklahoma is conducting an investigation after ESPN informed the school of racially insensitive comments made to the network by OU's head baseball coach Larry Cochell.

Although Cochell remains head coach, assistant coach Sunny Golloway will serve on an interim basis until the matter is resolved, according to a statement released by the school. Golloway coached the Sooners in their 8-1 loss to Nebraska Friday night and was expected to coach Saturday's game, as well.

Tuesday, before the telecast of the Oklahoma-Wichita State game on ESPN2 and ESPNU, Cochell used a racially-insensitive term in off-camera interviews with ESPN to describe Sooners freshman outfielder Joe Dunigan, an African-American.

Cochell was speaking with play-by-play announcer Gary Thorne when he called Dunigan over to praise him for staying in school. When the freshman returned to the field, Cochell told Thorne, "There's no n----- in him." The network informed the school that Cochell used similar language in an interview with ESPN analyst Kyle Peterson.

University officials weren't informed of the remarks until 4 p.m. Friday, when they were contacted by ESPN, according to school's statement.

"It is widely known that one of the most important values of the University of Oklahoma and its leadership is to celebrate diversity as a strength," athletic director Joe Castiglione said. "This university is a place where everyone is respected. Clearly, if these comments were made they run contrary to the core values of this institution and we will treat them very seriously."

Cochell, who has been head coach since 1991 and led the Sooners to a College World Series title in 1994, couldn't immediately be reached Friday night for comment.

In a statement released by the university, Cochell apologized for his remarks.

"I am deeply sorry for any pain or embarrassment I have caused for any individual or the university. Our university family is totally committed to equality and mutual respect," he said. "I personally hold those values and will always regret that my careless use of language did not reflect my own values, and it certainly did not reflect the values of the University of Oklahoma."

Cochell was in the dugout Thursday night when Oklahoma beat Nebraska 5-1 in Big 12 Conference play.

He coached at Oral Roberts, where he took the team to seven NCAA regional appearances and a trip to the College World Series in 1978.

 

[irishtexan]

Now this is REAL RACISM, not the ridiculous race charge ESPN held on ND for firing Willingham.

 

[cfbf]

His use of the "N" word was unfortunate, It is also unfortunate that it the "N" word is kept in the american "pysche" by AA comedians using it in their comedy skits or by other AA celebrities using it as a form of endeament towards their bretheren.

 

[Vince Young]

I despise political correctness, but I still have to wonder why so many white people are so determined to take back the ability to use the N-word. Why would we WANT to be able to say it?

As for why black people want to use the N-word, well, how does it hurt anyone? They have effectively conquered the meaning of one of the ugliest words in American history and turned it into a badge of pride. I'd say that's a good thing.

I simply see no way in which I am harmed just because I, as a white guy, can't use the N-word. I don't WANT to use the N-word. Leave it alone.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2051357


He just resigned

 

[jiggafini19]

I despise political correctness, but I still have to wonder why so many white people are so determined to take back the ability to use the N-word. Why would we WANT to be able to say it?

As for why black people want to use the N-word, well, how does it hurt anyone? They have effectively conquered the meaning of one of the ugliest words in American history and turned it into a badge of pride. I'd say that's a good thing.

I simply see no way in which I am harmed just because I, as a white guy, can't use the N-word. I don't WANT to use the N-word. Leave it alone.

Agreed 100% V-Young. As an Italian American, I've heard it all and I take it with a grain of salt. I feel that the N-word is inappropriate no matter who is using it.

 

[Aerosmith777]

I think it's a disgusting word, and I wish no one, including black people, used it. I understand how they feel they can use it & it kinda "conquers the meaning" as someone put it, I'm italian/irish & I call my friends WOP's and Micks for pretty much the same reason. Sadly though, I think that's part of what keeps the word in the vocabulary of a lot of small minded white people. Not that that excuses it by any means, but it might be easier to get the word out of their vocabulary if no one used it.

 

[jiggafini19]

Aero, I went to a mostly Irish high school and was one of a handful of Italians in my class of 200. I got called every name in the book. Rarely to I ever call other Italian Americans WOPs or Dagos or whatever. You hit the nail right on the head. Phasing certain words out of the venacular is the only way they will ever disappear. Unfortunately, they'll never go away.

 

[guff]

What Cochell said was wrong, ignorant and just plain stupid. It was right that he was called on it. He did the right thing by resigning. Not because his comments made him unqualified as a coach, but because the media feeding frenzy around him would have swallowed his team whole. Cochell's career now lays along side the careers of Jimmy the Greek, Al Campanis and others that said racist things.

One question was never answered and would have never been asked had this drama dragged out - Was Cochell actually a racist in deed? My guess is that he wasn’t. It is nearly impossible to have a successful coaching career and be racist.

Those whose careers die as a result of racist words never recover and are rarely given a second chance. If you kill someone while driving drunk and continue to drive drunk (Leonard Little) you’ll get as many chances as you need. Beat your wife/girlfriend (Ahman Green, Lawrence Phillips just to name the Nebraska Wifebeaters) no problem. Commit as many criminal acts as you like and someone will still give you a chance. Say something racist - not do something racist like burn a cross or attend a klan rally - Say something racist and your career is over.

Here’s the message - Do as much physical harm as you want but don’t you dare engage your mouth before your brain.

 

[Aerosmith777]

well, I dunno about that. I think he would eventually be given a chance somewhere else. I mean, if there's someone out there willing to sign John Rocker, who never really seemed penitent at all about the things he said, there's someone out there that would've signed this coach who seemed truly sorry for his off-handed comments and at least had the respect to resign right away. Not that that makes all the other stuff right, just that I think he'd of gotten a chance somewhere else too given his past success. But we'll never know b/c a couple days after he resigned his doctors discovered he has a heart condition that likely would have forced him to retire anyway.

 

[jiggafini19]

It is better to say as little as possible. Give the "Dog and Pony Show" answers, ala Bull Durham. Best policy for athletes or any famous people in the public eye.

 

[NDLyght37]

My

While I think the coach was very irresponsible and maybe even iggnorant in the statements he made, I actually am inclined to agree with his sentiment. Like Chris Rock said, "There's a difference between Black people and N-----s". There are a lot of iggnorant Black folks in the world and their actions and words are very foolish (and doesn't n----r mean a foolish individual?). Every race has n-words within their ranks. White folks have rednecks or trailer park trash, or whatever term they want to use...and I'm sure that Asians and Latinos have their own words for the members of their race who appear counterproductive to the positive efforts of their people.

Also, I doubt the coach is a racist, but the fact that he was so casual with his use of the word lets me know that he uses that term frequently. It's unfortunate that he had to lose his job, but I hope this situation serves as a lesson for "old school" coaches, particularly in the SEC or in the Big 12...It's 2005, I don't care what you were used to saying or doing in the past; it's time to move forward and be true leaders of men (of all colors).