Fallout From the Rutgers Controversy [PODCAST]
The controversy continues into the weekend at Rutgers University.
Over the past week, a controversial video tape of the mens basketball team's practices went public, causing an avalanche of media conversion on New Brunswick. Former head coach Mike Rice was fired for allegedly hurling basketballs at players and using homophobic slurs during practice. A few days later, Rutgers Athletic Director Tim Pernetti was out the door after resigning his position amidst the controversy.
Things could get even worse for the athletic department and the school in general, after some say University President Robert Barchi failed to portray the seriousness of the issue in a recent press conference. Fox Sports' Sam Hellman has more on that presser, why some critics are still calling for Barchi's head, and what the lasting effects could be at Rutgers University.
SNY's Matt Sugam was also in attendance for Barchi's press conference, and has some different feelings on how well R.U.'s president handled the situation. Find out why he says Barchi was "embarrassing and appalling", and what's next for Rutgers athletics.
While we weren't able to speak to Tim Pernetti directly about the controversy, we were privileged to spend a few minutes with him last November. The former athletic director joined the South Jersey Sports Report just a few months ago to break down Rutgers move to the Big Ten Conference.
The loss of Pernetti has not only left a vacancy, but also a sense of uncertainty for Rutgers Athletics moving forward. Cape-Atlantic League President Mike Gatley also has the unique perspective of being an athletic director in South Jersey (Mainland), and offers his take on what went into Tim Pernetti's ultimate decision to walk away.
And while the questions will undoubtedly continue in Middlesex County, one thing is also for certain a little closer to home: the Jersey Shore Powder Puff Football League's popularity is growing. From its creation more than four years ago, the league has seen not only an expansion in teams and players, but a rapid growth in its outreach in the community as well. Find out what went down when more than a dozen members of the Jersey Shore Powder Puff Football League graced our Admiral Nissan Studios to preview the 2013 season.
Listen to this week's show:
Sam Hellman, FOXSports analyst
Matt Sugam, SNY Sports reporter
Tim Pernetti, Former Rutgers University Athletic Director
Mike McGarry, Press of Atlantic City sports writer
Jersey Shore Powder Puff Football League
Mike Gatley, Cape-Atlantic League president, Mainland Regional Athletic Director
We’d also like to congratulate the South Jersey Athlete of the Week:
Deirdre Lenzsch
Weightlifting, Mainland Regional
The sophomore continues her road to Olympic contention. Lenzsch is competing in the Youth World Weightlifting Championships, which began in Uzbekistan. She is among the nation’s top-ranked lifters.
It’s all right here, on The South Jersey Sports Report. Listen every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on 97.3 ESPN-FM or 973espn.com, and now catch the expanded edition every Thursday night from 6-7 p.m.
Follow Tyler Donohue on Twitter @TDsTake