College Sports Information Directors of America

In light of the fallout from the recent comments made on April 4 during Don Imus' nationally syndicated radio show that disparaged the student-athletes on the women's basketball team at Rutgers University, the Board of Directors of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) feels compelled to offer a few thoughts and observations.

Some of the most satisfying moments that we as communications professionals have come when the best efforts and intentions of the student-athletes, coaches and academic institutions with whom we work are recognized on the widest level possible. Those magic moments are borne out of championship athletic contests, comebacks from injuries, the overcoming of difficult personal circumstances or a variety of other situations. The one common denominator is that they all involve human beings reaching the best in themselves and putting it on display for the rest of us to marvel at.

It is disappointing, then, when the "shining moments" of those with whom we work and support are dimmed by thoughtless banter and needless criticism. We're saddened to see young people placed in the unenviable position of having to respond to the carelessness of those whose job it is to offer public commentary that often comes without accountability.

There is, however, a silver lining in this for all of us. It is an opportunity for us all to calmly step back, analyze what has happened and learn whatever we can before moving forward with an aim toward being more compassionate and thoughtful toward each other. It is easy to thoughtlessly disparage, criticize or insult another when we lose track of the fact that there is a human being at the other end of our comments.

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