The Culture of Behaving Badly

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In an era where it's possible for presidential candidates, athletes and beloved sitcom stars to say nasty things, smack around or force themselves on women and (almost) get away with it, perhaps it shouldn't be all that surprising that sexual harassment is still tolerated as long as you don't get caught.

Take Norwood Teague, who until a week ago had been the University of Minnesota's athletic director since 2012.  During this time, his major accomplishments came from having hired and fired the men's and women's basketball coaches who committed the grievous sin of not making the NCAA tournament, and for presiding over a football program that won enough games last season to earn a trip to their first New Year's Day bowl game since 1962.

All that ended suddenly when Teague resigned.  The reason given was that two women employees of the university alleged Teague made unwanted advances towards them at a function, then sent texts of questionable taste.  Teague said in a statement that he intended to seek alcohol treatment.

But wait, there's more.  Amelia Rayno, who covers the Gopher men's basketball team for the Star Tribune newspaper, wrote a column saying she had also experienced much of the same harassing behavior Teague is accused of.   In her case, she said, she was given a choice by her editors of being reassigned, letting the company confront Teague or University president Dr. Eric Kaler, or waiting to see what happened.  Rayno chose the latter.

The Strib could have handled this situation better (Why was Rayno's column in the sports section instead of the front page?  Why didn't her superiors talk to Teague or Kaler in private before printing her story?), but Rayno had to make the tough decision any woman (or man) would make if they were in a business relationship with someone who thinks they're God's gift to whatever:  Blow the whistle or keep your job.

The University, Kaler says, is also going to launch a separate into the athletic department's handling of its financing and travel expenses, among other things.  Also, there's going to be a "nationwide search" (Kaler's words) for a new AD.  The last "nationwide search" led to Teague, who was running things at Virginia Commonwealth University when he was chosen to replace Joel Maturi.  For the moment, Beth Goetz will be the acting AD.

The University of Minnesota is no stranger to scandal in the athletic department.  Dubious recruitment practices, ineligible players and grade manipulation have resulted in vacated championships and disappearing banners.  This scandal threatens not only the gains made by the so-called "student athletes" in the various programs, but also funding for new athletic practice facilities--particularly if there's enough evidence that might interest the NCAA.

What the University needs to look for in hiring its next AD is one who has a better relationship with coaches and donors better than Teague reportedly did, follows established protocol concerning personal behavior, and resists the temptation to "hire local" just because.  Or they could just give the job to Goetz once they've seen how she performs in the position.

Replacing an athletic director for his allegedly boorish behavior is one thing.  Changing the culture of sexual harassment is quite another.  Donald Trump, for all the things he's supposedly said about women in the past, continues to lead the polls for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.  Ray Rice, who was caught on tape beating up the woman who became his wife inside a hotel elevator, might be back in an NFL uniform soon.  And Bill Cosby, who has seen his career and reputation collapse because of allegations by several women dating back decades that he drugged them before raping them, well, his fate has yet to be determined.

Compared to these guys, Norwood Teague is a symptom of a much larger problem.








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