Howe: Iowa Football Program Can Be Face of Needed Change in College Football
- Thread starter RobHowe
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At this time when the bullets are flying it's hard to see much good but I do believe the context of the article in that there is a huge opportunity for Iowa to take a lead role. Doesn't mean it will be easy or that it will actually happen but there is potential for the program to come out stronger.
His legacy can be more than just about football. I think he sees this as well but in the meantime he needs to be able to take the bullets and come out strong for the steep challenge ahead.
His legacy can be more than just about football. I think he sees this as well but in the meantime he needs to be able to take the bullets and come out strong for the steep challenge ahead.
Not only is it an opportunity for the football program, university, and Kirk as its leader but there is also an opportunity for the state of Iowa and its people to embrace the leader role in change that is needed across the country.
As you said, the bullets are flying and anyone leading the charge is going to take the brunt of them. Basically the point man on a raid. But that guy also has the opportunity to the hero.
You're taking bullets now. You'll take different bullets later from those opposing your path and destination of change. Its a massive responsibility but also a massive opportunity.
I hope he gets the chance to take on the challenge. And I hope the program and the university gets the support from the people of Iowa.
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
I have been contemplating some topics that have been parts of a perceived “big picture.” I am ready to disagree that one picture exists. I think there are three, and I believe they must be addressed in vastly different ways.
The racial issue must be clearly defined, and kept as the single most important and immediate problem to be resolved. The methodology has been discussed in the form of specific examples of racist behaviors, which must be addressed through formation of focus groups with diversity of the membership. That seems logical. On the other hand Personnel issues have legal boundaries. We are not going to be granted the great “transparency” we often demand. As personnel decisions are a big part of the racism issues, we can have opinions, but that is it.
The second issue, which I do see separately from the racism that has been highlighted, is the bullying of individual players. Unless only black players were bullied, this can and should be addressed as a separate problem. Again, some specific examples are available. However, more needs to be sorted out so that a clear path to resolution can be available through specific actions that will be banned, Coach to player, player to player, and coach to coach.
I am not sure if there is a third separate issue. If there is, I do not know how to define it. Some have referred to this topic as the Iowa Way, or the Program Culture. Reference to players use of social media, appropriate attire, tattoos, hair style, team, not individual identities, team/individual identity in the community or with the press, legal violations.This gets pretty tough to sort out, for me anyway. I get really frustrated when I can’t define a problem clearly.
That said, if the Iowa Way is different for black and white players, then we are back to problem one and it must be addressed in that environment.
Unfortunately, the topics that are discussed in the culture arena are socially complex. Racism and Bullying are much easier to pin down. I certainly do not approve of mixing this arena with the other two, because then we start arguing about kneeling and Lord knows what else.
About all I can say from my experiences is that there seems to be considerable evidence that the program culture has some strong foundations. Team first, positive interactions in the community, the behaviors among players on the field, and apparently off the field, graduation rates, low rates of players quitting or transferring, probably no more legal problems than the student population as a whole, player’s returning to IC for training, honorary captains, overall positive reviews from past players, fan support, financial security, things like the Wave and the Swarm. You see my point. I cannot say that I think our culture should be tossed. Improved certainly. Waiting for the “how”, I guess.
There you go. If you agree, fine. If you don’t, so be it. Please be polite. Politics, Covid 19, sheltered at home as a high risk, racial unrest throughout the country, so many out of work and suffering, and damn, my month in Northern Ontario fishing walleyes in my new boat cancelled...border still closed. I am exhausted.
The racial issue must be clearly defined, and kept as the single most important and immediate problem to be resolved. The methodology has been discussed in the form of specific examples of racist behaviors, which must be addressed through formation of focus groups with diversity of the membership. That seems logical. On the other hand Personnel issues have legal boundaries. We are not going to be granted the great “transparency” we often demand. As personnel decisions are a big part of the racism issues, we can have opinions, but that is it.
The second issue, which I do see separately from the racism that has been highlighted, is the bullying of individual players. Unless only black players were bullied, this can and should be addressed as a separate problem. Again, some specific examples are available. However, more needs to be sorted out so that a clear path to resolution can be available through specific actions that will be banned, Coach to player, player to player, and coach to coach.
I am not sure if there is a third separate issue. If there is, I do not know how to define it. Some have referred to this topic as the Iowa Way, or the Program Culture. Reference to players use of social media, appropriate attire, tattoos, hair style, team, not individual identities, team/individual identity in the community or with the press, legal violations.This gets pretty tough to sort out, for me anyway. I get really frustrated when I can’t define a problem clearly.
That said, if the Iowa Way is different for black and white players, then we are back to problem one and it must be addressed in that environment.
Unfortunately, the topics that are discussed in the culture arena are socially complex. Racism and Bullying are much easier to pin down. I certainly do not approve of mixing this arena with the other two, because then we start arguing about kneeling and Lord knows what else.
About all I can say from my experiences is that there seems to be considerable evidence that the program culture has some strong foundations. Team first, positive interactions in the community, the behaviors among players on the field, and apparently off the field, graduation rates, low rates of players quitting or transferring, probably no more legal problems than the student population as a whole, player’s returning to IC for training, honorary captains, overall positive reviews from past players, fan support, financial security, things like the Wave and the Swarm. You see my point. I cannot say that I think our culture should be tossed. Improved certainly. Waiting for the “how”, I guess.
There you go. If you agree, fine. If you don’t, so be it. Please be polite. Politics, Covid 19, sheltered at home as a high risk, racial unrest throughout the country, so many out of work and suffering, and damn, my month in Northern Ontario fishing walleyes in my new boat cancelled...border still closed. I am exhausted.
HawkGold
Well-Known Member
It could make Iowa better even under KF, but he doesn't deserve it. Leaders lead. He should have led this 10 years ago. No way there wasn't an issue going back to Banks.
It's a bit like asking an abused child to forgive the abuser and trust. A bit like the abused wife being asked to trust her husband... He should probably make changes....somewhere else.
Certainly KF can change.
It's a bit like asking an abused child to forgive the abuser and trust. A bit like the abused wife being asked to trust her husband... He should probably make changes....somewhere else.
Certainly KF can change.
Yes, if more people slander authority figures on social media, our country will be a better place to slander even more.
Can the team "bend a knee" to support the unborn?
Can the team "bend a knee" to show support for police officers who are out there serving in a war zone?
Can the team "bend a knee" for Flag Day?
I am hoping so!
Can the team "bend a knee" to support the unborn?
Can the team "bend a knee" to show support for police officers who are out there serving in a war zone?
Can the team "bend a knee" for Flag Day?
I am hoping so!
ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
I’m confused. Mr. Howe, should Iowa fire Kirk Ferentz? Or not? What is your position?
Fryowa
Administrator
1) It’s called libel, not slander.
2) Can you give us proof that this is all just libel?
You seem to have made up your mind despite never having met a player or coach and never having been in any contact with the program whatsoever. But it must be libel because KF and his staff are unimpeachable heroes of moral character who are incapable of doing wrong, eh?
So, back to the proof thing, can you provide it? Honest, question.
I am not an attorney, a word used in theology is "slander" a broader term that destroys someone's reputation, usually out of revenge or jealousy. This seems to be at work, an organized slander by an orchestrated group. But I don't know the facts or details other than the leaked out social statements. Nor do you.
___________________________________
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (or coaches)
What does this mean? "We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, (or coaches), betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way."
___________________________________
The above treatment of "our neighbors" is important because a reputation is very fragile and once broken and harmed in malicious or even casual ways, it is difficult to restore, if not impossible. The falsely accused or slandered individual lives out the rest of his or her life with the shame of accusations that are often mean, and twisted and untrue. The one with the tarnished reputation lives with this for decades while the accusers and the casual audience soon forgets about what has happened. Those who have destroyed someone's reputation and gotten them fired (or retired) often are able to live their lives with a sense of glee having doled out their form of slanderous judgment. (We got him and it feels good!)
You accuse me of holding the position that Kirk and staff are "unimpeachable heroes." This is nonsense, idiot talk. Of course, you have no proof of this because I don't hold, nor ever have held that position. I do know what it is like to serve in a publicly visible way and accusations that are untrue are common. There are always unhappy and angry individuals seeking revenge because of their own failed lives. People also often seek revenge (usually hidden behind the scene) because someone dares to challenge their selfish ways of living. (The husband who is out having an affair while his wife is faithfully taking care of the kids and home, but is confronted by the priest or pastor) (The selfish football player who has signed up to play a team sport but spends his time wanting to be a visible, loud-mouth, self serving, attention whore...but is challenged by the coaches who want a team) There are thousands of other examples in leadership and coaching.
From a distance, I would guess there is no one, single, simple explanation for the mob process now unfolding. Doyle might have pushed the players hard a times, that is what he does. Kirk has a tight ship and no one dare challenge him, player or coach. Were there threats from coaches telling players to fall in line with the team, or they would be sent home? Lose a scholarship? Sit on the sidelines? I would guess so, that's what coaches do. Were things done or said that aren't "acceptable" ways of motivating to the outside eye? I would guess so. But these players didn't sign up for nursery school or a summer camp to learn about the environment. They signed up to learn to be team players and to put themselves aside for the "common good" and hopefully have a lucrative career as a professional. This team mentality that confronts selfish and talented athletes is most often painful, and being broken of selfish habits faces much resistance until broken of it. (often it doesn't happen)
Somewhere in the middle, I would guess is truth. Black players felt excluded and mistreated, rightly or not. Coaches who signed up some players realized that when the players arrived...observed they might have talent, but some were often sickening to be around and cancerous for the team. The mob isn't innocent, nor are Kirk and the coaches.
I have read some of the tweets but not all of them. They are slanted and demonstrate a lack of self-awareness and ownership of their own failings, in my view.
Here is the question I wonder about...If it was so terrible, for so many years, to be an African American on the team at Iowa how in the world was Iowa even able to recruit one new black recruit? They certainly must have been warned about the mass systemic racism at Iowa and warned to stay away. Correct? And how did so many African American players manage to stay on the team for 5 years in the midst of all this misery, meanness and racism against them? I wouldn't have. Would you? That doesn't make sense to me.
Kirk has made his bed by hiring his son and Doyle. Kirk might have used poor methods of motivating and molding players. He is a control person trying to coach African American players who, at times, like the lime-light and love to advertise themselves and their amazing lives and opinions. It isn't an easy job, molding a team out of me/myself/I. And the player who stated that fans MUST support the players' bend the knee protests or not show up at the games? Good Lord, just stop it.
I would like to hear from players (white or black) who were TEAM players during these terrible years of systemic racism and suffering. What do they have to say about how the rest of the team experienced these players who were a part of the team, but unhappy victims? I would guess more than once it was announced that player XYZ was off the team...and a cheer rose up in thankfulness.
And so it seems to me, at a distance... Hopefully the reputations of all involved will be respected and some sense of truth and a reconciliation will be found. Perhaps some "honorable" way for Kirk to move on is the best option at this point. I can't see him "cowering" to the mobs but others have and survived. But, for me, it is difficult to see someone, a leader, acting in such ways.
Fryowa
Administrator
I read this entire thing attentively, and I’ll have a reply later this morning. Just FYI that I didn’t ignore it. I’m leaving to take my son to the airport in 5 minutes and—as much as I’m chomping at the bit—I can’t drive, type, and chew bubble gum all at once.
Have a safe trip...just my perspective on a complicated and volatile situation.
I think that is a pretty good breakdown of things.
There is certainly a top down element to some of these issues and solutions that the U of I and coaches need to drive but I also believe some of these solutions could/should come from the players as more of a grass roots approach. I mentioned in an earlier posts about the Iowa Player Team Leaders Group and what their role and mission has been in the past. I don't know much about how they have been structured in the past and if they were aware of some of these issues that have now surfaced publicly. It sure would have been nice to face these issues at the time they happened but perhaps they can improve on that in the future.
RobHowe
Administrator
I don’t know. Again, that’s up to UI after the investigation. I’d think the external review board will hear about his place in allegations.
I’ve not called for anyone’s job here. I did say Barta should go after UI lost lawsuit. Maybe I will have an opinion here after investIgation. Maybe not.
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
You make a very good point. That was sort of where I was going with “focus groups” but your comments were more clear and specific.
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
I am comfortable in support of your post. There are some things you write that I may not agree with, but the good stuff, imho, is really sensible with hard truth.
Thanks for reading the long narrative and for responding. It is a complicated issue, with high stakes for those involved and for the long term future of the program. So it seems, and calls for a more deliberate look from many perspectives.
Ree4
Well-Known Member
What's really funny is that abortion rates were lower under blue presidents than red, care to explain why? They've even gone up under trump after falling for decades.
Here would be one possible explanation...Human beings, on many levels, are disposable in our secular and more selfish culture. We are drifting towards a Nazi Germany type of ethics concerning "values" of lives.
Perhaps it would help to protest, burn down some businesses, and make some banners, "Unborn Babies' Lives Matter." Would that help?
We are living in a time of "systemic murder."
I often wonder how the newly coined term "systemic racism" became so popular. It is grossly inaccurate. For decades most of our "systems" in the country have SOPs and laws in place that provide "systemic special treatment." There are spots of racism, and violence (by all races and communities) but to say it is systemic racism is absurd.
People like the Obamas (and their children), for example, get into places like Harvard with advantages whites don't currently have. (They haven't allowed access to their grades which got them "into" Harvard) Their skin color and community make them more attractive and more likely to be admitted than whites who, of course, have had all the advantages of "white privilege" and are directed to community colleges, etc.
For the last few decades, on many levels, we haven't been "all in this together." Systemic Special Treatment makes things easier for some, simply because of their skin color. (Even for those who are here illegally, and take countless choice slots from the children of taxpayers, U.S. citizens) Unfortunately many of those who have a system "stacked in their favor" fail to even graduate from high school. Is this caused by whites also? I don't know. Perhaps you do.
The Catch 22 is this..."systemic special treatment" creates the very racism it is attempting to counter. When there is special treatment, others are always left out. There are no free rides. Cause and effect.
The endless opportunities are there for those who are "special", but you can bring a horse to water, but can't make her drink.
So it seems...
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