EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 04: Penn State head coach Pat Chambers talks to his team during a Big ... [+]
Penn State men’s basketball coach Pat Chambers has apologized for a comment about a “noose” he directed towards a former African-American player in early 2019.
According to a report in The Undefeated, Chambers, who is white, told then-Penn State freshman Rasir Bolton in January 2019: “I want to be a stress reliever for you. You can talk to me about anything. I need to get some of this pressure off you.
“I want to loosen the noose that’s around your neck.”
Penn State was 7-8 at the time, Chambers was on the hot seat, and according to the report he felt Bolton was “under a lot of pressure and wanted to help him.”
Bolton, a 6-foot-3 point guard who transferred to Iowa State in May 2019, also made the charge about Chambers in a social media post entitled “Why I chose to leave Penn State.”
“A ‘noose’ around my neck is why I left Penn State,” he wrote. “Head coach Patrick Chambers, the day after his one-game suspension in January 2019, in talking to me referenced a ‘noose’ around my neck. A noose: symbolic of lynching, defined in one of the most powerful symbols directed at African Americans invoking the history of lynching, slavery and racial terrorism. Due to other interactions with Coach, I knew this was no slip of the tongue.”
The story comes in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and the report that a noose was found in the garage of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, the lone African-American driver in NASCAR.
The report says Chambers felt he apologized to Bolton’s parents, but they did not feel he did.
“I didn’t realize that word would hurt him, and I am truly, truly sorry for that,” Chambers, 49, told The Undefeated.
MADISON, WI - MARCH 02: Penn State University guard Rasir Bolton (13) tries to get past Wisconsin ... [+]
The report also says “Chambers was not required to undergo any diversity or cultural competency training, while Bolton was referred to Penn State’s sports psychologist, a white man.”
“Rasir was taught how to deal with Coach Chambers,” Chalonda Bolton told The Undefeated. “What was Coach Chambers taught?”
In a statement put out by Penn State, Chambers apologized again.
“I’ve realized the pain my words and ignorance caused Rasir Bolton and his family and I apologize to Rasir and the Bolton family for what I said. I failed to comprehend the experiences of others, and the reference I made was hurtful, insensitive and unacceptable. I cannot apologize enough for what I said, and I will carry that forever.
“I try and respond to mistakes I have made by learning and growing, and I hold myself accountable and strive to be a better person and a better coach. In talking with our players and their families, I am committed to seeking knowledge and gaining a better understanding of diverse perspectives and impact of bias in our society. I have much more to learn.
“It is critically important for me to recognize my responsibility in better understanding the experiences of others and I am committed to doing the necessary work required to do just that. I love our student-athletes and want each of them to grow and succeed, individually, and as a part of our team. I promise that I will keep listening, I will keep learning, and continue our conversations within our team and our Penn State family.”
Sandy Barbor, Penn State vice president for athletics, said in a statement that Chambers’ commitment “to educating himself” and to “learn and grow...will be imperative to his future success at Penn State.”
“Patrick Chambers deeply regrets the words he chose and understands the pain he caused Rasir Bolton and his family. Patrick has stated that he is committed to educating himself and he is actively working to learn and grow, which will be imperative to his future success at Penn State.
“Our black community of students, faculty and staff must have the opportunity to feel safe, respected and welcome at Penn State, and clearly our past actions and words have not always contributed positively to that goal. It is our obligation to embrace all in our community regardless of differences – the color of their skin, their ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability or gender should not matter. Our community of student-athletes, staff and coaches is stronger because of the diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives they all bring to our competitive venues and classrooms. As leaders, our coaches must model the values of our institution and I remain steadfast in continuing to strengthen the culture of acceptance within our Penn State Athletics Department.
“It’s imperative that we all learn from the mistakes of the past – our own and those of others – to move to a more inclusive, just and respectful environment.
“This morning, I communicated to all of Intercollegiate Athletics the following steps we are taking to help achieve these goals:
- We will listen by conducting an annual Intercollegiate Athletics climate survey that will offer an opportunity for the Intercollegiate Athletics community to provide feedback on the culture, climate and experience as it pertains to diversity, inclusion, respect and acceptance. The data will give direction in developing and implementing policies, procedures, processes, programming and resources to address concerns and enhance the Intercollegiate Athletics environment and culture.
- We will take action by establishing an Intercollegiate Athletics Response Team to more effectively address issues of concerns affecting the culture, climate and experience of the Intercollegiate Athletics community. The Response Team will partner with appropriate ICA leadership to engage in broader university discussions around developing respectful interactions and communications for resolution.
- We will support growth and change by providing educational opportunities for the Intercollegiate Athletics community to engage in thoughtful and impactful discussions, reflections and actions around pertinent and current issues and/or events that effect culture, climate and experience through the use of best available education and resources.
- We will collaborate with our Student-Athlete Advisory Board’s Welfare Committee whose responsibilities are to work with the Intercollegiate Athletics community to enhance the overall quality of life and personal growth and development of student-athletes through promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for all student-athletes, and providing input on programming and support services consistent with the core values of the University and Intercollegiate Athletics.
- We will contribute to the efforts of President Barron’s Commission on Racism, Bias and Community Safety in meaningful ways to see change in our community—and the world for that matter.
These steps are just a start. As we listen, learn and create ideas and efforts, we will implement a sustainable department-wide effort.
