Marty Gordon
The Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team has jumped into the national polls at number 17, but it’s something off the field that is getting them lots of attention.
If you think publishing things on social media doesn’t affect the sports world, then you better re-examine what happened this week with the Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team.
A social media post of team members singing a rap song has brought them negative attention. The video of the women singing “Freaky Friday” by Lil Dicky made its way to Snapchat and Twitter. The players were heard singing the “N” word on a bus trip as they returned from an away game.
Before we go any further, let’s make sure everyone understands that this song, like many others, has questionable lyrics, including the “N” word.
University President Timothy Sands has now released a statement on the matter.
Sands said: “While we discuss and debate the intent, the context, and the remorse expressed by the students involved, we would be missing an opportunity if we did not accept the reality that this incident is not an isolated one at Virginia Tech, in our communities, or in our country. Let us use this moment to confront our own biases, cultural misperceptions, fears, and aggressions.”
“If we aren’t sure if someone will be offended by a remark or an action, let’s ask rather than assume. If we learn that words or actions are offensive to others, let’s commit to understanding why. If we hear a friend say something that we know is offensive to others, let’s share our understanding with that friend.”
Lacrosse members and Virginia Tech administrators are also planning to meet with the university’s Black Organization Council.
But there is a fine line here. Again, the team was singing a song that America has heard over and over. Yes, the team made a mistake in publishing it on social media.
They have been given training on the matter on what they should or should not put online. Athletes at all levels must realize the consequences of something like this, and that once it’s online it can’t be erased, or in this case not too quickly.
Within minutes, up to a 100 people could have viewed it just because it was a Virginia Tech sports team.
Personally, I draw a fine line when it comes to music and some of the very “wrong” lyrics that have made it to the airways.
Were the tech athletes wrong? In my opinion, yes and no. Our constitution protects their right to free speech, but social media has taken it to the next step of being wrong.
If we are going chastise these ladies for their mistake, we also must admit the song is wrong too. The lyrics are offensive to a certain population.
On the flip side, the university hosted two rappers on Friday night that represent songwriters who use questionable lyrics.
The Tech athletes need to give a public apology and move on.
In other news:
The Big South conference has an opening for head basketball coach at UNC-Asheville. Nick McDevitt led Asheville to the Big South regular season title for the past two years. He replaces Kermit Davis, who left for Mississippi after 16 seasons.
McDevitt compiled a 98-66 record at the Big South school and reached the National Invitational Tournament this year.
Radford University is adding an outstanding shooting guard to its roster. Cle’Von Greene from Williamsburg Christian Academy will join the Highlanders. He was the Daily Press newspaper’s boys’ basketball player of the year last season, and as a junior, the 6-foot-2-inch guard averaged 25.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.1 steals in leading the Eagles to a 26-8 mark. He was named to the classification’s all-state team.
Have you ever wanted your car wrapped in Virginia Tech colors? Well, now you can. You can enter the “Nissan Die Hard Fan” sweepstakes for a chance at a 2018 Rogue that would be custom wrapped in burgundy and orange.
To enter, visit: go to www.nissanusa.com/diehardfansweepstakes.
Congratulations to several high schools in our area. Radford, Eastern Montgomery, Auburn and Blacksburg have been added to the Virginia High School sportsmanship honor roll for the winter sports season. The schools did not have any players or coaches ejected from winter sports activities.
