USVI-On-Line

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I bet if he was making fun of a Catholic or a Baptist, no one would care. He's been an idiot for years, why now???

I'll shut up!

I hope that this posting doesnt get much attention. I go to St John to get away from the world dont bring this mess into paradise...

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Before anybody else makes some lame Imus jokes, and just in case you think those hypocrites Sharpton and Jackson speak for the Rutgers Womens Basketball team, and just in case you don’t know a thing about these young women and their remarkable coach even after all the media attention, a quick story with a Virgin Islands angle to let you know what this Rutgers team is all about.

In November, Rutgers was invited to play in the early season Paradise Jam college basketball tournament that is held in St. Thomas every year. While on the island, there was a tragedy involving one of the teams they were scheduled to play (LSU). The 15 yr old brother of one of the LSU players was found dead in his hotel room (no foul play – he died of because of undiagnosed heart condition).

Needless to say, the LSU women were pretty ripped up by this and they weren't sure they were any condition to play their game against Rutgers. If LSU decided not to play, all Rutgers had to do was show up in uniform and step out onto the court, and they would get a win by forfeit. But Rutgers Coach Stringer and her players insisted the game not be played, refused to show up to get the victory, and instead met with the LSU team to lend their emotional support.

Ironically, Rutgers then had to face LSU again in the semi finals of the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago and this story resurfaced with quotes of gratitude and appreciation from the LSU players and coach, with some of them saying they have made friends for life with the Rutgers women because of their gracious show of support.

Since I am not black or a woman, I believe I cant really judge how offensive the Imus remarks were. But being a Rutgers alum and fan of this team who feels like he knows a little something about the character of these women and their coach, I can say how unbelievably ignorant his remarks were. Those young women are the complete antithesis of the words he used and I only hope that others show similar grace and dignity if they are ever denigrated like they were. They made me incredibly proud to be a part of the Rutgers community.

^^ Great story. Vivian Stringer coached at Iowa for many years. Everyone here absolutely loved her. She's a stand up woman and I think she's handled this mess quite well.