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</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3><b>April 10, 2007 Press
Conference Transcribe<br>
</b></font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2>Rutgers Head Coach C.
Vivian Stringer, Athletic Director Bob Mulcahy; President Richard L.
McCormick<br><br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=1>4/10/2007 6:13:46 PM<br><br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2><b>Opening statement:</b>
"I see 10 young ladies who have accomplished so much that we, the
coaching staff, and the State University are proud of. These young ladies
who sit before you are valedictorians of their classes, doctors, musical
prodigies, and yes, even girl scouts. These young ladies are the best the
nation has to offer and we are so very fortunate to have them here at
Rutgers. They are ladies of class and distinction; they are articulate,
they are brilliant. They are God's representatives in every sense of the
word. What you have to realize is less than a year ago half of these
ladies were planning to graduate from high school. There are five
freshmen who, as they graduated from high school, thought about the
opportunity they would have by coming to Rutgers University and by
playing basketball at the highest level. Before you know it, everyone
here found themselves on a national stage playing for the world to see,
playing basketball at the highest level. This group of women is bright,
gifted, hard-working and has persevered through so much. <br><br>
You have all come to talk about this story, this Don Imus story, but
we've lost what this is all about. At the beginning of the year we were
humiliated as we lost to Duke, the number one team in the country. But
through perseverance and hard work and dedication, through eight to ten
hours working and going through film and studying, ultimately they alone
became what they could be when no one else believed in themthat's the
greatest story. It doesn't matter where you come from but where you're
going. It doesn't matter where you started but how you end because that
is the story. Perseverance, hard work, determination. This group of
classy young women represents all of us. I have pride and respect for
them. What's amazing is less than 24 hours after they accomplished so
much to have people insult us. We are all physically, emotionally and
mentally spent. We are hurt by the remarks that were uttered by Mr. Imus.
But these girls understand that no one can make you feel inferior unless
you allow them to. My role as a coach is one to love, nurture and
discipline these ladies to leadership roles in this society. In all that
we do, this group of young women have been represented as nothing less
than class in every aspect of all that they do. While they worked hard in
the classroom and accomplished so much and used their gifts and talents,
you know, to bring the smiles and the pride within this state in so many
people, we had to experience racist and sexist remarks that are
deplorable, despicable and abominable and unconscionable. It hurts me.
<br><br>
As a sixteen-year old girl, I was a victim of racism but I had a group of
people that stood up for me. We (my high school) never had an African
American cheerleader and so the chancellor came to my house late one
night and asked if I would speak up to the board of education. I
initially said no but my dad said some things to me that rang true. He
said if you don't stand up for something you'll fall for anything. He
said it might not be about you but about future generations of young
women. So I went to the school board. I was placed on the cheerleading
squad and I became the best I could be. I felt what Mr. Imus said; I've
experienced it and I told the team I have experienced it. In my mind,
this is a time for change because it's not about just these young women.
I ask you, no matter who you are, who could have heard these comments and
not been personally offended? It's not about the Rutgers women's
basketball team, it's about women. Are women hos? Think about that. Would
you want your daughter called a ho? It's not about us as black people or
as nappy-headed. It's about us as peopleblack, white, purple or green.
And as much as I speak about that, it's not even black and whitethe
color is green. How could anyone not have been personally hurt when there
is no equality for all or when equality is denied? These young ladies
have done nothing wrong. Some of you might point to the fact that he (Don
Imus) makes comments about other political figures or other
professionals. But these ladies are not professionals or political
figures. They are 18, 19, 20 year-old women who came here to get an
education and reach their gifts for all to see. These are young women
little girls look up to and we as adults, at what point do not call upon
people to stop? There is a bigger issue here, more than the basketball
team. It's all women athletes, it's all women. Have we lost a sense of
our own moral fiber? Has society decayed to such a point where we forgive
and forget because it was just a slip of the tongue? I'm going to suggest
that people give thought before they speak. <br><br>
As a coach, I love them and I cherish them and I appreciate the
opportunity to prepare them for the world and prepare them for life. We
are preparing them for leadership roles in society. It's never just been
a basketball game here for us at Rutgers. It's always been about life. We
were so excited, my staff and I, to talk to the recruits because what
they saw was a group persevere and beat Duke on Duke's floor. They saw a
team that heard people say if you're going to succeed you have to face
Michigan in front of 15,000 people. And then they said you have to take
on the mighty Duke just to get to the finals. And then face mighty LSU
that beat Tennessee a week earlier. Everyone said it wasn't possible with
this group of five freshmen and five upperclassmen but this was a group
that broke all kinds of NCAA records in defense. They showed the world
it's not about where you come from but where you're going. It's not about
where you start but where you finish. They have restored my confidence
and faith as a coach. I respect that their parents would entrust their
daughters to me. <br><br>
Are we as adults responsible enough for nurturing dreams and standing up
for what is right? We have to recognize this issue speaks to a bigger
issue. To utter such despicable words is not right, whether they are
spoken by black, white, purple or green, male or female, tall or short,
skinny or thin, it is not right. It is time for everyone to reflect on
what is going on. It is time ladies and gentlemen.<br><br>
I have had the privilege of taking three teams to the Final Four. The
first time was with Cheney but I wasn't able to experience it with great
joy because my daughter was stricken with meningitis at 14 months and was
confined to a wheelchair. With Iowa, my husband died suddenly. My heart
has never been light when going to the Final Four. When I came to Rutgers
we went to the Final Four in 2000 but we never got to the championship
game. It took me personally 25 years to come to get to a championship
game. This was a team that had so little and gave so much. This was a
team that was so young. This was a team that restored all my faith and
confidence in young people. They grew and they matured. They all worked
together and became a powerful group. <br><br>
Rutgers University has had a proud reputation for many years as being one
of the highest academic institutions in the country. I say to them (the
players) and their parents, I thank them for trusting me with their lives
and I understand the magnitude of my responsibility and I honor them and
am so proud of them. I thank them. They have no reason to drop their
heads. I ask everyone who can hear my voice, please understand that we
all need to make changes, all of us beyond Imus. We need to serve as
examples of how to be winners on the basketball court and we also need to
serve as examples of how to be winners in life. I am thankful to serve as
coach and I trust that the President of Rutgers, the governor of New
Jersey and our Athletic Director to continue their support, respect and
honor of these young ladies. I thank you very much."<br><br>
<b>Bob Mulcahy: </b>"Those of you have followed the team this past
month have had the opportunity to talk to them in lockerrooms, in
Hartford, Michigan, Greensboro, and Cleveland and know what they (the
players) are like. The rest of the world doesn't know them and understand
why we are so proud of these women."<br><br>
<b>On whether ignoring the issue was discussed: <br><br>
</b><i>Bob Mulcahy: </i>"First of all, I don't think there was ever
any thought to ignore it. I think you have to understand on Thursday
(April 5) we had two celebratory eventswe had the ringing of the bell
and the celebration with the team and about 2,000 people here Thursday
night. We did not want to take away from that but simultaneous with those
events, the President issued his first statement and consequently issued
another with NCAA President Miles Brand and Coach Stringer issued her
personal statement on Friday (April 7). There was never a question in my
mind to ignore.<br><br>
<b>On the parameters of the meeting with Don Imus:<br><br>
</b><i>Bob Mulcahy: </i>"It will take place at an undisclosed
location, away from the media, away from everybody so that everyone
involved can express themselves and will subsequently be made public
afterwards. This came about because of a requests made through me to the
team and the team discussed it."<br><br>
<b>On the decision to meet: <br><br>
</b><i>Coach Stringer: </i>"It was always the team's decision. They
decided and I was proud of their decision."<br><br>
<b>On the appropriate punishment for Mr. Imus:<br><br>
</b><i>Bob Mulcahy: </i>"The purpose of today's meeting was not to
discuss that. The purpose of today's gathering was to show people the
quality of these young women and give their accomplishments their due. It
is up to them to decide, once they have had the opportunity to meet
face-to-face, and let us know how they feel about it what they think
should be done. I think all of us to a person think that when it is done
it will be an opportunity for our society to look at this issue and
create more sensitivity and tolerance so that these things don't get
said."<br><br>
<i>President McCormick: </i>"Our exclusive attention on this has
been the well-being of our students and their families and their
abilities to complete their work at Rutgers. Don Imus' future has not
been on the table for us. This is a learning community and our entire
endeavor is to make sure we do learn from this event. We want to move
forward from this event as a community that understands better how
powerful words can be. From the outset we have put our arms around our
students and protected them. We cannot say in any way Mr. Imus' future
should be."<br><br>
<i>Coach Stringer: </i>"We have to evaluate the sincerity of the
apology and that's one of the reasons we need to do this face-to-face. As
I said before, the color is 'green,' not black or white or yellow or
brown. We need to look and determine what our moral fiber is. What is
important? What message are we sending to these young ladies and to young
people across the country? To grandfathers, grandmothers, everyone? This
is an opportunity to give back. It's important that we hear him with a
clear conscious and give him the opportunity to explain some things but
he also gets the chance to meet some young women. But I can't answer that
question (on whether Don Imus should be fired) so how can the players
answer? We need to do some intraspection after the
meeting."<br><br>
<b>On how the team got to the Championship game:<br><br>
</b><i>Coach Stringer: </i>"They had no idea the work that is
required to reach the pinnacles of success. This was a team that did not
pass what we consider the minimal physical standards. They worked hard
from that point. Yes, their cell phones were taken during competitions.
On New Year's Eve at 10:30 at night we had several players who are
playing professionally come back to meet with the team, this after six to
seven hours of drills, and they were so amazed to the love and support
that past players had for them. They talked to them and let them know
they were honored to be Scarlet Knights. They worked extremely hard, they
practiced at five o'clock in the morning. They watched film, they wanted
to learn. To see the smiles, to see the same ones do what they doubted
they could do, to see them do what they thought they couldn't do. They
represented the University at the highest level. They are strong
women."<br><br>
<b>On the terms on which the meeting with Don Imus will take
place:<br><br>
</b><i>Bob Mulcahy: </i>"The meeting will take place on our
terms."<br><br>
<b>On the reaction from alumni: <br><br>
</b><i>Bob Mulcahy: </i>"We have received many, many emails relating
to this from people both within and outside of the state. I am not aware
that the alumni have scheduled anything at this point."<br><br>
<b>On private, less public, support: <br><br>
</b><i>Coach Stringer: </i>"We have gotten a tremendous amount of
support from so many people."<br><br>
<b>On whether anything compares to the Championship game
experience:<br><br>
</b><i>Coach Stringer: </i>"This year is particularly special
because no one thought this team would make it to the national
championship game and it taught me about the resiliency of young people.
Nothing can compare to this."<br><br>
<b>On Imus' future and whether it hinges on money lost:<br><br>
</b><i>Coach Stringer: </i>"That's for all of you to determine. The
corporate sponsors have taken steps, however big or small, and have at
least acknowledged that something wrong was said. Time has to be taken to
look at and consider why it happened and consider what would have if we
had said such things. We need to reduce it to its corewhat it means to
be a human being."<br><br>
<div align="center"><b>Heather Zurich and Essence Carson
Statements<br><br>
Player Q&A Period<br><br>
</div>
Heather Zurich:</b> Good morning, I am Heather Zurich; A sophomore and a
proud member of the Rutgers women's basketball team. This week and last
we should have been celebrating our accomplishments this past season;
many of the media here, may not realize my team started the season 2-4,
we were at the lowest of lows, Coach Stringer called us her worst
defensive team ever; but we- the ten of us here- , prevailed, we fought,
we persevered and most of all, we believed in ourselves. We won 22 of 25
games to finish the season, before falling to Tennessee in the national
championship game. .. We won the BIG EAST championship along the way, the
first ever and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. We know we shocked a lot
of people along the way, but this team did not settle for just showing
up- we reached what many only dream about – the NCAA title game.
But all of our accomplishments were lost …. Our moment was taken
away- Our moment to celebrate our success, our moment to realize
how far we came on and off the court as young women; we were stripped of
this moment by the degrading comments by Mr. Imus last Wednesday. What
hurts the most about this situation is Mr. Imus knows not one of us
personally; he doesn't know Mat is the funniest person you will ever
meet; Kia is the big sister you never had but always wanted; and Piph
would be an unbelievable lawyer someday. These are my teammates, my
family. And we were insulted and yes, we are angry. Worst of all, my team
and I did nothing to deserve Mr. Imus nor Mr. McGirk's deplorable
comments. Our families are upset and with good reason; instead of
enjoying our first day off in months to celebrate Easter with our
families, this was the topic of conversation. We attend the eighth oldest
institution of higher education in the country and not to mention, one of
the most difficult academically. (I think many Rutgers students can agree
on that) We ten are simply put --student-athletes. But instead of
attending study hall this morning, I address you about something that
should never have taken place. I am extremely proud of my teammates
– I am proud when we walk through an airport on the way to or from a road
trip; dressed alike, in Rutgers gear with pressed pants and nice
shoes. The ten of us, love getting dressed up for banquets and I believe
we present ourselves well – both on and off the court; even though Mr.
Imus seemed to think differently. But then again, he knows not one of us.
Thank you for your time. <br><br>
<b>Bob Mulcahy:</b> When you hear these young women, you begin to
understand why we felt the support them and bring them out to let you
see, and let the country see, what they are. What they stand for. And how
they respond to the comments made and how high-class of a respond they
have. Essence Carson, the leader of our team, is a straight 'A' student
and an accomplished musician. She could go to a piano and play 'Moonlight
Sonata' without any notes. This is the kind of thing that people don't
focus on, that we have here, and make us so special. That's why these
women are so special and our coaches are special and that's why this
university is special. Because of the manner in which they have come
together from top to bottom. It would be wrong if I didn't acknowledge
the support that the governor has given by being here and Reverend
DeForest Sories who has been through all of this with us and has been a
tremendous. They have been guides to the team, the coaching staff and the
athletic director as we handle all these things. We have set aside a
couple of minutes for the student-athletes to take questions before they
go to their classes. We have a policy and that freshmen do not respond to
public questions in the media. But we have the five upperclassmen:
Essence, Heather, Kia, Matee and Katie would be happy to respond to any
questions you would like to ask.<br><br>
<b>Essence Carson:</b> Good morning, my name is Essence Carson and I am a
junior student-athlete here at Rutgers University. I would like to
express our team's great hurt, anger, and disgust towards the words of
Mr. Don Imus. We are highly angered at his remarks but deeply saddened
with the racial characterization they entailed. Not only has Mr. Imus
stolen a moment of pure grace from us, but he has brought us to the harsh
reality that behind the faces of networks that have worked to convey a
message of empowerment to young adults, that somehow…someway…the door has
been left open to attack your leaders of tomorrow. You must not forget
that we are students first and then athletes…and before the student lies
the daughter. On collegiate athletics' grandest stage, under the
brightest lights, with the focal point being nothing other than a trophy
that symbolizes the hard work and perseverance of a team so deserving,
the curtains were closed on an act that deserved nothing short of an
encore. This Rutgers Women's Basketball team has made history. We
were the first team in the school's history to reach a national
championship final game. We are a team full of bright-eyed youth that
aspire to be great…not only great on the basketball court, but in the
fields of medicine, music, and psychology. I would like to pose a
question…not a question of insult, but one of pure thought…Where were
these major networks when the youth were making history for a prestigious
university? Now we are bombarded with cameras, phone calls, and emails
that invade our privacy and place us between a rock and a hard place. We
haven't done anything to deserve this controversy, but yet it has taken a
toll on us mentally and physically. Driven to a point of mental and
physical exhaustion, we ask that you not recognize us in a light as dimly
lit as this, but in a light that encompasses the great hurdles we've
overcome and goals achieved this season. <br><br>
Now with that said, we have agreed to have a meeting with <br><br>
Mr. Don Imus. This meeting will be a private meeting at an undisclosed
location in the near future. We just hope to come to some type of
understanding of what the remarks really entailed, his reasons why they
were said. And we'd just like to express our great hurt. The sadness that
has been brought to us is more than the game of basketball, is more than
the Rutgers women's basketball team.<br><br>
As Coach Stringer said, we realize that it's about women across the
world, across this nation. It just so happens that we finally take a
stand. And we ask that you continue to support us and not look at it as
we're attacking a major broadcasting figure. We're attacking something
an issue that we know isn't right. And we just continue to ask for your
support and thank you for your support thus far.<br><br>
<b><u>Player Q&A period<br><br>
</u>On the meeting with Imus: <br><br>
Matee Ajavon: "</b>I have to say that we honestly don't know what to
expect in the meeting with Don Imus. But we will plan on asking him: what
are his reasons? And how could you just say things that you had not put
any thought to? Right now, I can't really say if we have come to a
conclusion on whether we will accept the apology. I think this meeting
will be crucial to us, the state of New Jersey and everybody representing
us." <br><br>
<b>Essence Carson: </b>"We as a group have decided that this meeting
with Mr. Imus will help. We have thought about it, the thought of him
cleansing his image with a personal apology has definitely crossed our
minds. We understand that this isn't the first time this has happened,
it's not the second and it sure isn't the third time so there must be a
lot of cleansing that's going on. But we do hope to get something
accomplished during this meeting." <br><br>
<b>Kia Vaughn: </b>"I have no comment on towards whether or not he
should be fired. Within this meeting, I'd like to know the reasons for
saying what was said and you might look at it as being a harsh meeting,
but I'd like for him to get to know us, as a whole, and understand why
we're great people and why, for us, that statement is
false."<br><br>
<b>On the demeaning of women in society:<br><br>
Essence Carson:</b> "I know that rap, hip-hop and music of that
genre has desensitized America and this world to some of the words that
they choose to use in their lyrics. I understand that, but it doesn't
make it any more right for anyone to say it. Not only Mr. Imus, but, if I
was to say it, it doesn't make it right. It doesn't make it right if
you're African-American, Caucasian, Asian, it doesn't matter. All that
matters is that it's wrong. As a society, we're trying to go and trying
to surpass that to the point where we don't classify women as hoes. We
don't classify African-American women as 'nappy-headed hoes'. Or anything
other than that. Other than they classy women that I believe every woman
at this press conference is."<br><br>
<b>On the apologies released:</b> <br><br>
<b>Essence Carson: "</b>I'm sorry ma'am, but we haven't personally
received an apology. These apologies have been written and released to
the media. Personally, if someone were to apologize to me, I'd feel
better, if they were apologize to me themselves. Reading it in the
newspaper, watching it on television, or hearing it over the radio
doesn't serve any justice to what he said."<br><br>
<b>On what the last week has been like:<br><br>
Kia Vaughn: </b>"During Easter, I have seven brothers, as everyone
does know, instead of spending time with them and having fun, I had to
cut off my phone. The media was trying to get through to talk to
relatives and even people, being fans, were showing up in this moment of
hurt. It was good to hear from some people, but to have to repeatedly
express how I felt, I became really agitated. [What is happening] takes
away from school, study hall, things we should be doing and things that
we are capable of succeeding in. But, instead, we have to address a
situation that should never have been spoken upon."<br><br>
<b>On what is to come from this:<br><br>
Essence Carson: </b>"I believe there are a lot of positives that can
come from this. One thing is that we finally speak up for women, not only
African-American women, but all women. That's just going to be a major
step forward in society, just to finally understand thatthere isn't that
equality that we all wish was there. It's something we all hope for, but
until we make those great strides to achieve that, we're going to
continue to fall short. I'm glad we're speaking up. I feel like we can
achieve that [equality]."<br><br>
<b>On the suspension:<br><br>
Essence Carson:</b> "I can't quite characterize the suspension. I
believe that his employers have done a great job, especially with the
apologies that they have sent out to the media. At the same time, the
situation isn't over. There is still work to be done."<br><br>
<b>On those who have taken up the cause:<br><br>
Essence Carson: </b>"I believe that Reverend Sharpton is using this
as another example for something that he's been fighting a long time. It
just happens to be us. It just brings us to a harsh reality that the
things that we're discussing today, aren't over. They haven't been
resolved. I haven't been personally contacted, but I like my privacy so
the phone calls have been quite annoying and aggravating. I wish that
they could stop. But, I believe that he's doing a good thing, just as he
always has done."<br><br>
<b>On the networks that carry Imus' program:<br><br>
Essence Carson:</b> "As far as his employers, the radio station that
broadcast the show, we all know it's about how many people are listening
and your ratings. I can't blame them for supporting his show prior to
this incident. He does have pretty good ratings, so I've heard. I believe
they have taken action with his suspension. I don't know what else will
happen. We haven't really come to the conclusion on what we'd like to
happen, that's still up in the air." <br><br>
<b>On the impression accepting an apology will give to people across the
country:<br><br>
Essence Carson: </b>"We haven't really discussed accepting his
apology. That's what I believe the meeting will be for and that's what
we'll cover. I think then we'll get a better understanding of his apology
that has been released to the press. There's still a lot more
contemplation that has to go on. We have to discuss it as a team, as a
program, as a university, together, because this has not only affected
us, but women across the nation.<br><br>
<b>On message to convey to NAACP youth and college chapters<br><br>
Matee Ajavon: </b>"I think the message that needs to be conveyed
starts with women. Black women, all colors. Women are equal. We need to
start taking more head into what women do in this world and women can
accomplish anything they put their minds to. As far as the NAACP, I would
like to say that we really thank you guys for coming out. It's not just
about black women. We have a lot to say-women in general. We have to show
the world that we're worth more and we can't be bashed for our
gender."<br><br>
<b>On the thought of ignoring comments:<br><br>
Essence Carson: </b>"At first, as a whole, I believe our first
thought was to let it slide. But after reading the transcript of the
conversation, it hit a little too close to home. The remarks that were
made were unacceptable. Not only because he's a broadcaster that gets his
show across to so many people because he's in the nation's biggest media
market in New York, but because he reaches so many people, can you
imagine how many people may have really did think there might be truth
behind his joke? Just growing up in a society as a 20-year-old, I've seen
a lot of things. I've seen things happen to women and I've heard about
things that happen to womenyou learn about them in school. You don't get
too many opportunities to stand up for what you know is right, I know
we're at a young age and we know what's right and what should be done.
We're glad to have the opportunity to stand up for what is right.
<br><br>
<b>Heather Zurich: </b>"Besides the fact that the comment was
something we didn't want to ignore, it was kind of hard. The media was
calling our houses, our cell phones, following us around campus. We went
home for the weekend and you couldn't ignore the issue. The media wanted
to know our opinion so it was kind of hard to ignore." <br><br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=1>©2007 Rutgers
Athletics.<br><br>
</font><font size=3> <br><br>
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