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| | Friday, September 15 Code requires atmosphere of respect | |||||
| Associated Press NEW ALBANY, Ind. -- Reacting to the behavior that cost Bob Knight his job, Indiana's trustees adopted a code of conduct Friday requiring coaches and athletes to treat others with dignity and respect. An 11-page report spelling out the behavior the university expects from participants in its sports programs was developed by a commission created in May in conjunction with the zero-tolerance behavior policy Knight agreed to at the time to keep his job. The trustees also were scheduled to consider a separate document detailing how the code of conduct would apply to Knight under the zero-tolerance policy, but that issue became moot when Knight was fired Sunday as basketball coach. University president Myles Brand cited several incidents of unacceptable behavior when he fired Knight, including the grabbing of a student who greeted him, "Hey, what's up Knight?" Psychology professor Jim Sherman said he and other members of the commission were mindful of many of the incidents that marked Knight's controversy-filled, 29-year tenure in Bloomington as they wrote the code of conduct. Athletic director Clarence Doninger, who chaired the 15-member commission, told the trustees a code holding coaches, player and other athletic personnel to a higher standard than others in the university was necessary because of the attention that sports teams attracts. "The code of conduct was not person-specific. It is directed to all of us in athletics," Doninger said. Doninger himself had felt Knight's wrath. He said he was verbally attacked by the coach last Feb. 19 after basketball game against Ohio State in Assembly Hall. A friend separated the two men. The conduct code essentially contains no requirements not already contained in policies set forth by the university, the NCAA or the Big Ten Conference, Doninger said. It is "an attempt to pull together the spirit of the codes and detail that we want to operate under a higher standard," Doninger said during a news conference after the trustees meeting. The trustees unanimously adopted the code without comment. It calls on those associated with athletics to "avoid conduct that is likely to appear improper." It specifically states that behavior by coaches that is verbally or physically threatening, abusive or belligerent is never appropriate. It warns coaches speaking to the news media to refrain from using "excessive profane language or vulgar gestures, berating members of opposing teams or referees or other officials, or demeaning or belittling another person." Under the code, coaches wishing to speak as private individuals to the media are required to make it clear they are not representing the university, and should not wear university logos. The code calls for enforcement measures that are swift, fair, consistent and appropriate. The conduct commission, made up of faculty members and alumni appointed by Brand, met during the summer to write the code. On Friday, Brand said it was time for the university to move on. "Make no mistake about it, Indiana University is primarily and most importantly an academic university," Brand said. | ALSO SEE Ousted General: Knight fired for unacceptable behavior Pacers' Thomas restates desire to team with Knight Hoosiers name Davis interim coach | |||||