ESPN aired video of multiple instances of Mike Rice verbally and physically abusing his players.
The National College Players Association (NCPA) released a public statement today calling on Rutgers University to fire men’s basketball coach Mike Rice after ESPN aired video of multiple instances of Rice verbally and physically abusing his players.
NCPA President Ramogi Huma stated, “The NCAA punishes kids for accepting grocery money but apparently the NCAA is fine with allowing a person to remain a college coach after kicking and shoving his players on video. The fact that Mike Rice is still the Rutgers basketball coach is a telling indictment of a college athletic culture that excuses the mistreatment of college athletes. The NCPA is calling on Rutgers University to fire Mike Rice immediately.”
Watch the ESPN segment showing Rice abuse his players: http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/9125796/practice-video-shows-rutgers-basketball-coach-mike-rice-berated-pushed-used-slurs-players?src=mobile
Launched by a group of UCLA football players in 1997, the National College Players Association serves as the only independent voice for college athletes across the nation. Since its first press conference on Jan. 18, 2001, the NCPA has advocated for players’ rights, due process, improved player safety, increased graduation and degree completion rates, additional employment opportunities, and the closure of “scholarship shortfalls.” Over the past decade NCPA has been featured in countless media outlets, including CBS 60 Minutes, ESPN, CNN, ABC News, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. Today the NCPA has over 17,000 members from over 150 Division I campuses nationwide.