2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Lack of black coaches follow-up
A clarification of the Title VII symposium held at R-N
Issue date: 12/11/07 Section: Sports
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Although the Rutgers-Newark campus does not have a Division I football team, it is known as one of the most diverse campuses in the country, and after a symposium was held on the issues of enforcing Title VII in National Collegiate Athletics, a strong mix of emotions have been found amongst the athletic department.
Title VII was put into law as part of the civil rights act of 1964 and enforces racial equality in the work place.
Currently, out of the 110 team that compete in Division I football, only six teams are headed by African American coaches.
The panelists at the symposium, held at the R-N Center for Law and Justice, shared solutions and expressed opinions on the issue of whether it is logical or necessary to enact Title VII in college football.
Granted that R-N has no division I football team, the hiring process in R-N seems to cater to Title VII regardless. Mark Griffin, R-N's Director of Athletics, explained that when looking for a coach or assistant, they posts an advertisement for the position on the university's website where anyone qualified can apply.
"The advertisement then goes out to 100 of the historically black institutions, as well we to the rest of the metropolitan area," said Griffin.
He continued to explain that "You'll find that our athletic staff is more diverse than 99 percent of other colleges. We are ahead of the curve."
Ahead of the curve or not, the opinions of whether Title VII enforcement should transcend professional football to college football, or college athletics in general, differ among the R-N athletic coaching staff.
Juan Edney, head coach of men's and women's cross country and track and field, said "It's crazy that in 2007 we're still talking about African American rights."
Edney went on to say, "Why should we have to enforce title VII, when everyone should be interviewed equally in the first place…It shouldn't be about color, but about hiring the best candidate."
Gary Moore, head coach of women's volleyball and assistant coach to the men's volleyball team, the only Division I sport at R-N, seems to agree with Edney.
"It is unfortunate that you would have to consider race in the applicant," Moore said.
However, Moore went on to say, "Any legislation to promote opportunity's for minorities or women is good, as long is it's done in good faith. Hopefully someday soon, we won't need to do it (Title VII)."
Title VII was put into law as part of the civil rights act of 1964 and enforces racial equality in the work place.
Currently, out of the 110 team that compete in Division I football, only six teams are headed by African American coaches.
The panelists at the symposium, held at the R-N Center for Law and Justice, shared solutions and expressed opinions on the issue of whether it is logical or necessary to enact Title VII in college football.
Granted that R-N has no division I football team, the hiring process in R-N seems to cater to Title VII regardless. Mark Griffin, R-N's Director of Athletics, explained that when looking for a coach or assistant, they posts an advertisement for the position on the university's website where anyone qualified can apply.
"The advertisement then goes out to 100 of the historically black institutions, as well we to the rest of the metropolitan area," said Griffin.
He continued to explain that "You'll find that our athletic staff is more diverse than 99 percent of other colleges. We are ahead of the curve."
Ahead of the curve or not, the opinions of whether Title VII enforcement should transcend professional football to college football, or college athletics in general, differ among the R-N athletic coaching staff.
Juan Edney, head coach of men's and women's cross country and track and field, said "It's crazy that in 2007 we're still talking about African American rights."
Edney went on to say, "Why should we have to enforce title VII, when everyone should be interviewed equally in the first place…It shouldn't be about color, but about hiring the best candidate."
Gary Moore, head coach of women's volleyball and assistant coach to the men's volleyball team, the only Division I sport at R-N, seems to agree with Edney.
"It is unfortunate that you would have to consider race in the applicant," Moore said.
However, Moore went on to say, "Any legislation to promote opportunity's for minorities or women is good, as long is it's done in good faith. Hopefully someday soon, we won't need to do it (Title VII)."
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