An 'A' for racial diversity

The Black Coache Association recently commended IU with an "A" for its football hiring practices. Interestingly, IU was one of only five schools to a receive an "A" from a pool of 30 universities across the country. In an environment where discussing race is taboo and complaints about racially- motivated criticisms run rampant, we too would like to commend the football program for its fair, professional hiring habits.\nIU's "A" grade was based on five criteria: communication, hiring committee, candidates interviewed, reasonable time and affirmative action. Thus, even without hiring a black head coach (which IU did not do as we've all seen pictures of coach Hep around town) schools could receive an "A." IU received 18 out of a possible 20 points. We're proud that our football program has shown such individual expertise without pressure from the BCA. \nNonetheless, we hope it continues to improve its hiring practices. IU received a "B" in the candidates interviewed subsection. It only needed to interview 30 percent of potential minority coaches on campus to receive an "A." This is a very doable objective. The report's author, Dr. C. Keith Harrison, said to improve its score, IU would need to "put the same energy during the interview process as they put to recruit nonwhite recruits on the football team" (Indiana Daily Student, Friday). \nAlthough the BCA gave a IU a solid grade, the overall report was mostly negative. The findings highlighted what BCA Executive Director Floyd Keith and NCAA President Myles Brand have called the "appalling" reality that blacks make up only 3 percent of the head coaches in Divisions I-A and I-AA. Yet, more than half the players on the teams are black. Even worse, Division I-A football only has three black head coaches out of 119 football programs.\nA 2002 report evaluating the hiring practices of NFL coaches found similarly disappointing statistics. Consequently, the NFL enacted the "Rooney Rule" -- a stipulation requiring teams to interview at least one minority applicant when filling a head coach position.\nWe understand the NFL's concerns, but we're thankful the NCAA hasn't resorted to similarly draconian measures -- yet.\nEven so, the results of the BCA report were so dismal that the group has threatened to consider suing universities for racial discrimination if they don't try to improve the situation by interviewing at least one minority candidate for head coach vacancies.\nWe're proud that even without such strict race-conscious regulations, IU managed to get an "A." Maybe the football program could teach us all a lesson in diversity.