I have been sitting on a post like this for days. Weeks. Since the first day that I heard about the allegations of sexual abuse from longtime Syracuse University basketball coach Bernie Fine.
- Syracuse Police Investigating Bernie Fine for Allegedly Molesting Ball Boy
- Statements from Chancellor Nancy Cantor and Head Coach Jim Boeheim
When the news first came out, I texted Lucas and then I texted Jackie. I emailed my college roommates. I googled and searched for all updates, refreshing my computer every 30 seconds.
I needed to know more. I wanted it to be false. But I HOPED that the investigators were doing their jobs. I BELIEVED that this would not be another Penn State situation.
You see, my blood runs Syracuse orange. I graduated in 2002 with a dual major in broadcast journalism and policy studies — schools and majors I chose in large part because of their strong reputations and the sentiment toward the programs.
I joined a service group (Alpha Phi Omega) and helped in the community — delivering meals to homebound seniors, tutoring kids and getting to know the people outside of the campus.
Back on school grounds, my friends and I never missed a football or basketball game — the Dome was a second home to us, and we felt so proud to cheer our athletes on.
I even got to meet the then-Chancellor Buzz Shaw (who always looked like this, I’m afraid).
I brought my parents to campus, and showed them my home away from home.
I got to know every inch of that campus — the place that shaped me as a young adult. The place where I met my husband. The place where I was taught that the pursuit of truth is paramount.
I took that shiny broadcast journalism straight into the workplace, although I didn’t go far. I stayed in Syracuse for another two years after graduating, producing newscasts for the NBC affiliate and getting to know Syracuse as a resident, not just a student.
Syracuse is one of the most special places in the world for me, and it always will be. That’s why I feel so violated by the Bernie Fine case.
If you have not listened to the Laurie Fine tape, do. It certainly gave Jim Boeheim an about face, although it was too little too late for me. It also changed Bernie Fine’s future (he was fired the same day the recording became public).
I’m a journalist. I’m a Syracuse University graduate. And all of my peers and colleagues let me down. To have known about the accusations as far back as 2002 and to not have done a more thorough investigation is absolutely disgusting to me. To have had this recording as far back as 2002 and to not have considered it “corroboration” of the accuser’s report is disgusting. For the powers that be to have so quickly dismissed the alleged victims’ accusations are disgusting.
I know that there are false reports of abuse, and I know that they can be incredibly damaging. But given the recent cases at Penn State and Syracuse, I think it’s clear that there are major flaws in the system, and I hope that this is a lesson to all.
About Katy
I think I may have mentioned before that my oldest stepson was at SU during the time you were and I have other family members who went there. I know how special it is/was for them. As awful as it is (what happened at Penn State, SU, the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts, and on an on) I have to believe that tide is finally turning and that “powerful” no longer means too big to fail…and that awareness will bring a major shift. I recently wrote a blog post about it here: http://www.kclanderson.com/toobig
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As an SU alumni this shook me to the core. I essentially had the same reaction as you. SU defined me and has a very special place in my heart. To think this could happen at our alma mater is devastating.
I even had to bring my SU doormat inside for the time being. We think it’s best to keep our association with the school on the DL for the time being.
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As a ‘Cuse native and growing up with the Orangemen on the on the court going to several of their games, looking up to the coaches and each of the players hoping to some day be like them, I was heart broken when my Dad texted me and told me about this. I went right to the local news website and found out for myself. So disappointing. I hope that all involved are doing their jobs in the investigation. I’d hate for SU to go down the tubes in reputation because of something like this. .
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As a person living and raising my family here, as well as an SU graduate…here’s my take from “the scene”. Our alma mater, until proven otherwise, does not appear to be in the wrong…so the commentor who pulled in their SU doormat should have more pride in the institution and not keep your “association on the DL”. This is not the Penn State case where several layers of administration had been notified yet did not take appropriate actions. Penn Staters should hang their heads, but not us.
The media, local in the form of the Post Standard, and national in the form of ESPN; did not do enough in making the Laurie Fine tapes public in 2002. If those had been made available to authorities, I am confident the University would have acted immediately. Unfortunately, the same two media groups that I previously mentioned are now all too eager to indict someone before they are found to be guilty. I am NOT protecting Bernie Fine, but what ever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”? Forget everything you’ve heard about this case for a minute and simply ask yourself, even if Fine is found innocent by local and federal investigators, what kind of life does he have left to live thanks to the media’s coverage?
As Boeheim stated earlier this week, let the investigations by the authorities reveal the truth, which may end up being exactly what we all hope it is not. Don’t base your feelings on the media coverage..they are looking for the attention in advance of any rulings. Sorry Katy.
No sorry needed — it’s an issue that obviously sparks passionate opinions on both sides. Had the Laurie Fine tape not come out, you and I might still be seeing eye to eye.
And I do applaud Nancy Cantor and Jim Boeheim’s most recent statements — her saying that had the administration known about the tape, Fine never would have been put on leave, he would have been fired, and his this weekend saying that he regrets coming out so aggressively against the accusers.
I’m a big believer in the system, and work as hard as I can both as a person and as a journalist to make sure that “innocent until proven guilty” holds firm (which can be hard since the public’s right/desire to know often clouds the issue). And you’re right…until and unless Fine is found guilty of a crime, by a jury of his peers, he probably deserves SOME benefit of the doubt.
My biggest issue, and perhaps I didn’t make it clear enough here, is that I think the system is broken. And in this case, I think the accusers were punished by the cops, the media and in a smaller way, the SU administration, because they weren’t perfect victims. Had we all erred on the side of giving them the benefit of the doubt, I think this might be less heartbreaking.
Hey Katy,
I’m also a Syracuse grad 2003 such a small world as I saw your pics I know some of your friends as some where my RA, etc.
Yes it’s been hard to watch. I have strong personal feelings regarding the abuse which is completely unacceptable. Yet one of my favorite memories of my senior year experienc e was the road towards our bball team winning the NAtional Championship. I remember how much Jim Baiheam was a rock star during our graduation day as it reminded us how much pride we had for our orangeman (as that was how we were called back in the day). It really saddens me the situation.
Thank you for your post!
Laura
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Laura,
Thank you for sharing your story, too…so sad.