Monday, January 25, 1999
Miami takes blows to pride
Bad news came in group of three
BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
OXFORD — The denizens of this picturesque university town can be excused if they start carrying rabbits' feet around, saving lucky pennies and picking four-leaf clovers from their yards.
The events that occurred last week at Miami University could make the world's greatest optimist feel like every day is Friday the 13th.
A rundown of what befell Miami and Oxford:
• Criminal charges were filed against Brad M. Allen, 22, and Nathaniel Snow, 21, former Miami students who were accused of posting racist messages supporting the Ku Klux Klan at the college's black learning center Oct. 30. Mr. Snow was president of the Black Student Action Association.
Discovery of the messages sparked a Nov. 10 protest by a mostly black group of students and caused some to criticize Miami's racial climate. The men, who proclaimed their innocence at a Saturday press conference, are scheduled to appear Friday in Butler County Area One Court for a pre liminary hearing.
• Miami football coach Randy Walker announced he was leaving to coach at Northwestern University.
• Miami President James C. Garland announced he is recommending the school eliminate four men's sports — golf, tennis, wrestling and soccer — to meet gender equity requirements.
“It has been a difficult week for the community in general, and especially for the university,” Oxford City Manager Mark Roath said.
Mayor William Snavely and Vice Mayor Kenneth Bogard said they regard the loss of Mr. Walker with mixed feel ings.
“Randy is so well respected and liked in the community,” said Mayor Snavely, who also is professor of management at Miami. “We're sad to lose him, but we're really happy for him.”
The announcement about Mr. Garland's recommendation for scrapping four men's teams didn't have the jolt of Mr. Walker's departure because the issue has been dis cussed for some time and a final decision has not been made, Vice Mayor Bogard said.
But the alleged racial hoax dealt a major emotional blow to many people in Oxford.
“Most of us are just stunned and saddened about these allegations,” Mayor Snavely said. “But we're not wavering from our commitment to racial harmony and justice in our community.”
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