Letter to the Editor

4/10/13 7:00pm

 

To the editor: 

Over the past week, I have noted with considerable interest, surprise and dismay the allegations of racial discrimination that have been directed toward Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan by former Rice University men's basketball student-athletes and a former Rice men's basketball coaching staff member. For nine years (1999-2008), I had the privilege of serving with Greenspan in senior athletic administrative positions at the U.S. Military Academy and Indiana University. 

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During this time, I was able to observe firsthand and interact very closely with him during periods of significant professional and personal challenge and difficulty. At no point in time did I ever witness Greenspan speaking to or about any individual - regardless of his or her position, race, nationality or ethnic heritage - in the degrading manner that was alleged in the recent SportsIllustrated.com story. From my perspective and experiences, for him to have spoken to anyone in those terms would be completely inconsistent with the level of respect that he historically and continually has displayed toward others both professionally and personally. 

In my opinion, Greenspan is a man of true ethical strength and character. Accordingly, I have great difficulty assigning any level of credibility to the allegations that have been made against him in this matter. 

Tim Fitzpatrick 

Director of Athletics 

U.S. Coast Guard Academy 

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