Rutgers University President Robert Barchi admits he knew about misconduct in the fall.
The NCPA released a statement after the Associated Press published an admission by the Rutgers University President Robert Barchi that he was made aware of (recently fired) Rutgers men’s basketball coach Mike Rice’s misconduct last fall.
Huma stated, “Athletes are not university property to be abused. It is time to end a college athletic culture that excuses all forms of mistreatment of college athletes. The NCPA is calling for the firing of Rutgers University President Robert Barchi and athletic director Tim Pernetti for their decision to continue to employ a physically abusive coach. While they eventually terminated Mike Rice, they didn’t take this action until the abuse was made public. College athletes deserve university officials who are willing to do the right thing when no one else is looking.
Also, the NCPA is calling on the NCAA to pass emergency legislation to require the mandatory reporting by athletic staff (including assistant coaches) of the physical abuse of any athlete as well as a prohibition of the employment of physically abusive staff. In addition, the NCAA should allow every player to transfer one time without penalty. This should be retroactive for the Rutgers players who transferred out of the program during Mike Rice’s reign of tyranny. The Rutgers video makes clear no athlete should be coerced by NCAA rules into staying in a negative environment.”
*Since the NCPA released this statement on April 3rd, some Rutgers faculty have demanded that the Rutgers University President resign.
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.