from Tony Paul of the Detroit News,
A Michigan State hockey player said he was the target of a racial slur multiple times during a game against Ohio State at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing earlier this month.
Jagger Joshua, a Black forward and senior from Dearborn, took to social media Monday night, detailing the incident and expressing frustration that Ohio State and the Big Ten have failed to levy any punishment.
"Acts of racism do not belong in hockey, as they can discourage African Americans and minorities like myself from playing and loving the game," Joshua wrote on Twitter. "Inaction in the face of racist comments and actions allow these behaviors to continue.
"The inaction has left me feeling confused and pessimistic about the movement of diversity within hockey culture," Joshua continued. "The ignorance of racism does not belong in our game. And I feel that I need to make people aware that this incident occurred, because without acknowledgement, the problem gets worse."...
The Big Ten, in response to an inquiry from The News, said in a statement Monday night that it "collected and evaluated" information from the Big Ten officiating crew, Ohio State and Michigan State, as well as available video footage. The Big Ten said it supported the Big Ten crew's decision to issue the penalty.
"Due to the absence of indisputable evidence presented to the conference, the conference has not imposed further disciplinary action," the Big Ten said in a statement.
"The Big Ten Conference is committed to providing our student-athletes inclusive environments free from acts of harassment or discrimination in any form.
"The safety and well-being of our campus communities remains our top priority.
Ohio State also issued a statement, in response to a request for comment from The News.
"The Ohio State department of athletics and the men’s hockey program worked collaboratively with the Big Ten Conference to come to a resolution in response to the allegation of misconduct toward the Big Ten sportsmanship policy," Ohio State's athletic department said in a statement.
"Ohio State is focused on providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all. The department is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all. Our Buckeye Inclusion committee has done an outstanding job with providing education and awareness across our department, both for students and staff. We are committed to recognizing our remarkable diversity and utilizing our core values to ensure everyone attending or participating in an athletic event feels safe and welcome."
Well apparently not. It takes nuts to make a statement about their outstanding job following such an incident.
What a load of crap. So they negotiated with the Big Ten because the Big Ten doesn't have said nuts to punish OSU.
I read that there is no evidence it was said, only allegation, but the guy got a game misconduct, so did the ref give him a game based on allegation, or did he hear it?
Only way I can square it in my head is that the player heard it and A referee heard it, but none of the other referees heard and it must not have gotten picked up on any mics...therefore the ref was able to kick the offender out, but the league couldn't levy further discipline based on what only one ref heard.
Fiasco. Slurs have no place in the game, we all know that. But, getting thrown out suggests an official heard it and thenunheard it when the conference asked later? So what the hell?
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