Creighton on Thursday suspended men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott from all team activities for using the term “tree planting” twice in his team’s locker room. It also said that “further sanctions are under consideration.”
McDermott will miss at least the Bluejays’ regular-season finale Saturday against Big East rival Butler.
Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen Said in a prepared statement McDermott’s comment “was not in alignment with Crayton’s commitment to racial equity, diversity and respect.” Rasmussen said that he and the university’s president, Rev. Daniel Hendrickson met with the players to determine an “appropriate ban” against McMormatt.
McDermott said this week that the players turned down his offer of resignation after the loss to Xavier on 27 February.
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“This is his team,” said McDermott (According to the Omaha World-Herald) In a radio interview that aired on Wednesday before Villanova’s loss to Creighton. “If they had chosen me to walk away, I would have gone away. But that’s not what they wanted. “He said he offered to step down on Sunday, the day he used the term.”
The coach tweeted a pre-apology on Tuesday night that included a quote he told his players: “Guys, we want to be together. We need both legs. All I need to stay on the plantation Is required. I cannot have any plantation. “
McDermott has been Crayton’s male coach since the start of the 2010–11 season. In the absence of McDermott, assistant coach Al Huss will lead the team.
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