Members of the Southern Mississippi band are facing disciplinary action after shouting an insensitive racial slur in a chant at Kansas State point guard Angel Rodriguez during the first half of the Golden Eagles' 70-64 East Region loss on Thursday.
The band was heard chanting "where's your green card?" at Rodriguez while he was at the free throw line. The freshman is from Puerto Rico.
Southern Miss president Martha Saunders issued a statement after the game on the school's web site that said," We deeply regret the remarks made by a few students at today's game.
The words of these individuals do not represent the sentiments of our pep band, athletic department or university. We apologize to Mr. Rodriguez and will take quick and appropriate disciplinary action against the students involved in this isolated incident."
Southern Miss interim Ad Jeff Hammond told the Clarion Ledger that he would take the band's director to meet with Rodriguez and K-State coach Frank Martin to apologize.
We (the fans and supporters) of K-State think that this young man is a symbol of what you can do given a chance. He came to this country to work hard and get an education. We are proud of what he has accomplished todate and look forward to his continued improvement on the court and getting his degree at this university. We here in Kansas try to judge a person on their character and Angel has already proven himself to us.
ReplyDeleteThey are ignorant Or nee to learn Biogrphy first Puerto Rico Is part of U.S Since 1889 territory.That mean we never had to use Gren cards.
ReplyDelete"from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks". What does Angel's character, which is intact, or proving oneself have to do with anything? This type of behavior and inward attitudes are vulgar and reprehensible no matter the circumstance. Racism, alive and well in America 2012.
ReplyDeleteMississippi, like Alabama, is a racist state and most of its citizens are ignorant and morons. This so called University is clearly a factory of uneducated people who lacks any sense of history and decorum. In Mississippi thinking is a crime.
ReplyDeleteWow, clearly one can see the "great" caliber of education the students at Southern Miss. are receiving, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteAs a Southern Miss alumni, I'm extremely embarrassed by the actions of these kids and hope they get kicked from the pep band. I hope they continue to get an education and learn something from this experience, but they should not be allowed to represent the university any further.
ReplyDeleteAlso, stereotyping an entire state or university for the actions of ten 19- and 20-year old kids is not any different than what these kids did to an undeserving player. The truth is any time you get a group of people together no matter where they're from, there are going to be some bad apples in the mix. I can assure you everyone at USM was sickened by the actions of these kids, as evidenced by the apologies issued by the university president and athletic director, as noted above.
At any rate, good game, K-State. Rodriguez seems like a good kid. I hope he doesn't let this affect him, and he has a good experience at K-State from here on out.