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The Hot Corner
Every month Sports Media Challenge discusses at least one incident or issue in the world of sports news. Most will be case studies or commentaries prompted by exposure in the news. We especially welcome ideas and comments from sports professionals including athletes, coaches, executives at all levels of sport including professional, collegiate and other amateur ranks. We will periodically include your comments and observations.
Latest Update -- November 29, 2000:
Previous Topics
By
Karin M. McKemeyNovember 29 , 2000
Kicking Up Controversy
An all-conference kicker that may have fallen short during college tryouts is making a play for some major money in the North Carolina courts. Heather Sue Mercer could be two million dollars richer thanks to a possible major blunder by her would-be coach for the Duke Blue Devils. Mercer, who was the first string kicker for her high school football team believed she had the ability to make it as a Blue Devil and decided to try out for the team as a walk-on in 1994. When she failed to kick more than a 35-yard field goal - the coaches understandably cut her from the team. Mercer decided that the coaches were biased because of her gender, claims she was subjected to discrimination and decided to take her battle off the gridiron and into a courtroom.
Now, Mercer does not actually have the 2 million dollars yet - Duke University decided to appeal the case. And most people reading about this story would have to agree that a couple million dollars for a bruised ego is a little steep. Unfortunately, the problem runs a little deeper than just Mercer's ego. When the Blue Devil coaches took the witness stand they made some good points: The starting kicker on the team averaged 44 yards for filed goals - even landing a 50 yarder in the '96 season. Former coach Fred Goldsmith said he cut Mercer because she "just wasn't good enough."
"I evaluated her like a man would have been," he said. "I decided to judge her like a man who was not making a contribution to the team." Goldsmith's comments were honest and truthful. All the coaches testified that Mercer's gender had nothing to do with being cut from the team - they just needed more than 35 yards.
What Mercer allegedly heard, however, ended up being a very expensive lesson in miscommunication. Mercer claims Goldsmith told her to "give up kicking footballs and perhaps give beauty pageants a try." Goldsmith says he cannot recall making that statement. But that one sentence could make Mercer a very rich woman. What we can take from this law suit is that the jury did not seem to take into consideration Mercer's abilities or lack there of, for a NCAA division 1 football team. What appeared to make their decision was one derogatory comment that possibly hit the jurors harder than the facts. And the sad part is - no one can actually be sure that the comment was actually said. It was an errant couple of words that were possibly misunderstood, misheard or mistaken.
Both coaches and athletes need to consistently monitor what they say. Not an easy task - but one that if not kept in check could lead to some sort of retribution. The "beauty queen" comment - as it has come to be known, could have been said in passing - a private word from one coach to another that was not meant to be overheard - or quite possibly it may never have been said at all. Unfortunately, it was a comment that touched a nerve. The coach in question was careless with his words - and in this society many times it is words and not actions that speak the loudest. Whether you are placed in a position of leadership, or find yourself in the scrutiny of the spotlight - The old adage that says "If you wouldn't want your mom to hear it - don't say it" holds very true. Remembering that could save you a career and quite possibly a few million dollars to boot.
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