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Frank's Statement
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Frank's Statement
Didn't see this posted elsewhere:
"As all college football fans likely know by now, Utah State University’s final game of the season was cancelled yesterday after USU football players chose not to play in protest of something they feel very strongly about: discrimination and bias,” the statement read.
“It is my understanding — from members of the team leadership council who attended a meeting with Utah State President Noelle Cockett and Athletic Director John Hartwell — that I was not ultimately considered for the position of head coach at Utah State (my beloved alma mater) because of concerns that my religion and Pacific Islander culture would negatively impact the University’s future football program. I have twice served as interim head coach and have gone through the interview process but was not notified of a formal hiring decision until after Noelle Cockett and John Hartwell met with the team.
“As disheartened as I am to learn that this kind of religious and cultural bias exists (because I am Polynesian) at Utah State University, I am equally heart-broken for my players – many of whom are seniors who were preparing for the last game of their collegiate experience. I want to express my upmost respect and admiration for their decision to stand up for what they believe in — and I’m truly honored that they would stand up for me.
“As we move forward, it is important to me to protect both the institution and players that I love. My only hope for this painful and unfortunate situation, is that it will be a positive step in our community’s anti-discrimination journey. To accomplish this, Utah State University Trustees should demand a thorough and independent investigation of religious, cultural and racial discrimination throughout the Utah State University.”
"As all college football fans likely know by now, Utah State University’s final game of the season was cancelled yesterday after USU football players chose not to play in protest of something they feel very strongly about: discrimination and bias,” the statement read.
“It is my understanding — from members of the team leadership council who attended a meeting with Utah State President Noelle Cockett and Athletic Director John Hartwell — that I was not ultimately considered for the position of head coach at Utah State (my beloved alma mater) because of concerns that my religion and Pacific Islander culture would negatively impact the University’s future football program. I have twice served as interim head coach and have gone through the interview process but was not notified of a formal hiring decision until after Noelle Cockett and John Hartwell met with the team.
“As disheartened as I am to learn that this kind of religious and cultural bias exists (because I am Polynesian) at Utah State University, I am equally heart-broken for my players – many of whom are seniors who were preparing for the last game of their collegiate experience. I want to express my upmost respect and admiration for their decision to stand up for what they believe in — and I’m truly honored that they would stand up for me.
“As we move forward, it is important to me to protect both the institution and players that I love. My only hope for this painful and unfortunate situation, is that it will be a positive step in our community’s anti-discrimination journey. To accomplish this, Utah State University Trustees should demand a thorough and independent investigation of religious, cultural and racial discrimination throughout the Utah State University.”
Go Aggies!
- Turtle
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Re: Frank's Statement
He seems to really play up the Polynesian aspect when that didn't seem apparent from the player's statement. I thought it was mostly a religious issue.
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- CastIronAggie
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Re: Frank's Statement
Wow. Just wow. Hope someone was recording that Zoom call.
Also, to whatever lawyer wrote this, the word is “utmost,” not “upmost.”
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Re: Frank's Statement
He learns of this "bias" from what his players told him but apparently not from his own observations?
“As disheartened as I am to learn that this kind of religious and cultural bias exists (because I am Polynesian) at Utah State University,...."
“As disheartened as I am to learn that this kind of religious and cultural bias exists (because I am Polynesian) at Utah State University,...."
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- CastIronAggie
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Re: Frank's Statement
We can probably kiss our poly pipeline goodby. Whether the reports are true or not, this will for sure hamper our ability to bring in poly players and other players of diverse background.
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Re: Frank's Statement
Frank better hope he gets a good payout on a settlement because if I'm an AD, I wouldn't touch the guy.
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Re: Frank's Statement
It will hamper Polynesian recruiting no matter how this ends up. the Polynesian community is so close knit that they will take Frank’s word over Noelle’s word anyway. This will hurt recruiting for several years to come.
Last edited by captain68 on December 13th, 2020, 1:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Sl7vk
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Re: Frank's Statement
Frank is going to burn down the house as suspected.
All the talk of him being a great Aggie, blah blah blah....
All the talk of him being a great Aggie, blah blah blah....
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Re: Frank's Statement
He's calling for an independent investigation, well, good thing the Board of Trustees announced yesterday they were ordering an independent investigation.
Showing my True Colors since 2022
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Re: Frank's Statement
About the only thing that could help is a recording of the Zoom meeting that exonerates Cockett.
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Re: Frank's Statement
The part that bugs me is where he says that it pains him to learn that there is this cultural band religious bias at USU. Frank has been at USU for like 12 of the last 14 years. He has dealt with hundreds of players within football/academics. If things were so bad and their is all this discrimination why did he stay for so long and what he has done to fix it. He has been in a position of leadership within the football for most of the past decade. If there are issues with culture and religious bias what has he done to fix it.
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- MrBiggle
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Re: Frank's Statement
He just went all in. He better hopes it all went down the way the kids say it did.
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I'm actually really smart, probably smarter than you are so if you disagree with what I have stated in this post, you are likely wrong (and dumb).
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Re: Frank's Statement
Yes, were I Frank, and were I trying to balance a potential lawsuit and my future employability, I would have left it at “troubling allegations” and called for an investigation. He affirmatively states discrimination happened based only on what he’s heard second hand from players.JonnyCienPesos wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:11 pmHe just went all in. He better hopes it all went down the way the kids say it did.
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He will have a hard time finding another job if the players are discredited based on how that statement is worded.
- 2004AG
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Re: Frank's Statement
That’s my problem with it! He doesn’t talk about ANY previous first hand experience to mistreatment...it’s all, “from what I’m told...”.ineptimusprime wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:13 pmYes, were I Frank, and were I trying to balance a potential lawsuit and my future employability, I would have left it at “troubling allegations” and called for an investigation. He affirmatively states discrimination happened based only on what he’s heard second hand from players.JonnyCienPesos wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:11 pmHe just went all in. He better hopes it all went down the way the kids say it did.
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He will have a hard time finding another job if the players are discredited based on how that statement is worded.
- USU78
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Re: Frank's Statement
... but of course he had nothing to do with the strike.
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
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Re: Frank's Statement
Wow, just wow. At this point he is trying to damage the program as much as possible for his own possible gain. Don’t let the door hit ya Frank!!!
Last edited by FL350Aggie on December 13th, 2020, 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- USU78
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Re: Frank's Statement
Did you just flip the burden of proof?ineptimusprime wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:04 pmAbout the only thing that could help is a recording of the Zoom meeting that exonerates Cockett.
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
- Empire of Dirt
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Re: Frank's Statement
Oof... Didn't see that coming.
I guess he decided that whatever he could make on a lawsuit will be more than any future earnings as a college football coach.
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I guess he decided that whatever he could make on a lawsuit will be more than any future earnings as a college football coach.
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Re: Frank's Statement
ineptimusprime wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:13 pmYes, were I Frank, and were I trying to balance a potential lawsuit and my future employability, I would have left it at “troubling allegations” and called for an investigation. He affirmatively states discrimination happened based only on what he’s heard second hand from players.JonnyCienPesos wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:11 pmHe just went all in. He better hopes it all went down the way the kids say it did.
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He will have a hard time finding another job if the players are discredited based on how that statement is worded.
[/quote
The race and religious accusations cut both ways on a new hiring. Employers are going to both wary of him even being considered and wary of being sued if they don't give him a documented chance.
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Re: Frank's Statement
If the person who actually drafted the players statement didn’t also draft this I’ll wear BYU gear to work for a month
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- Naked Bull Rider
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Re: Frank's Statement
The Polynesian pipeline isn’t going anywhere. Stop overreacting.
None of the alleged comments have even been confirmed. Morgan Scalley admitted to using the N word and the Utes are still bringing in talented black athletes.
At the end of the day, memories are short and 18 year old kids just want to play football. If you think a kid with one FBS offer is going to turn down Utah State, you’re up in the night.
None of the alleged comments have even been confirmed. Morgan Scalley admitted to using the N word and the Utes are still bringing in talented black athletes.
At the end of the day, memories are short and 18 year old kids just want to play football. If you think a kid with one FBS offer is going to turn down Utah State, you’re up in the night.
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Re: Frank's Statement
He honestly should have just released a statement that read:
"$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$"
Not surprising, but disappointing. What a joke. As others have stated, you've been with the program as a player and coach spanning 2 decades without a hint of bias, but now you're going scorched earth because some entitled brats were mad that you didn't get picked.
I have never been happier that we didn't hire Frank.
"$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$"
Not surprising, but disappointing. What a joke. As others have stated, you've been with the program as a player and coach spanning 2 decades without a hint of bias, but now you're going scorched earth because some entitled brats were mad that you didn't get picked.
I have never been happier that we didn't hire Frank.
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Re: Frank's Statement
Which on top of the bigotry, would be an extremely stupid reason for her to say what she alleged to have said. Maile should never have been in consideration for the job. He isn't a good coach. His ethnicity or religion should never have come up.
- BLUERUFiO
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Re: Frank's Statement
Yes, when we’re talking about the burden of proof in the court of public opinion. If this is left in the vague realm of he said/she said, I think Cockett is done and USU gets left with a lovely black eye.USU78 wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:19 pmDid you just flip the burden of proof?ineptimusprime wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:04 pmAbout the only thing that could help is a recording of the Zoom meeting that exonerates Cockett.
Hope to be wrong!
Frank will of course bear the burden in any lawsuit.
Last edited by ineptimusprime on December 13th, 2020, 2:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Frank's Statement
Does this mean he’s decided not to stay and be part of the new staff?
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Re: Frank's Statement
Most likely you are right as long as we put together the right staff. I do worry this story gets even bigger with lawsuits coming. This could look really bad for the school if it extends outside of sports media.Naked Bull Rider wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:21 pmThe Polynesian pipeline isn’t going anywhere. Stop overreacting.
None of the alleged comments have even been confirmed. Morgan Scalley admitted to using the N word and the Utes are still bringing in talented black athletes.
At the end of the day, memories are short and 18 year old kids just want to play football. If you think a kid with one FBS offer is going to turn down Utah State, you’re up in the night.
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Re: Frank's Statement
I'm thinking legal counsel also advised the game cancellation. What better way to show just how outrageous the alleged statement must have been in litigation that the player's took such drastic action.Intermeddler wrote: ↑December 13th, 2020, 2:20 pmIf the person who actually drafted the players statement didn’t also draft this I’ll wear BYU gear to work for a month
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