Archive for Friday, August 22, 2008
Fort Hays State fires debate coach, suspends debate program
August 22, 2008, 10:34 a.m. Updated August 23, 2008, 12:00 a.m.
Advertisement
Press release
Wichita — Fort Hays State University has fired its debate coach for losing his temper at a tournament, engaging in a videotaped shouting match that included pulling down his shorts to expose his underwear.
University President Edward H. Hammond also announced Friday that the school was immediately suspending its debate program until problems are addressed at the national level. He said it was important to take a stand against the declining standards of college debate.
The argument between Fort Hays State debate coach William Shanahan and another coach following a tournament match at Cross Examination Debate Association event at Wichita State University in March received nationwide attention after it was posted on YouTube on Aug. 2.
Shanahan told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Friday that while his reasoning might seem convoluted, he argued with the other coach because he respected her and her opinions.
"Obviously it got out of control, but to be honest I thought I was in a safe house," Shanahan said. "I thought I was part of a community that handled its problems internally and that recognized the dangers of exposing ourselves - no pun intended - to the rest of the country."
Hammond said no one from the tournament staff notified university officials about the incident until it was posted on YouTube. Shanahan, an assistant professor of communication studies, has taught at the university for 10 years but does not have tenure.
He led the university's debate team to a national championship in 2002.
"Everyone has the right to freedom of speech, but these actions are not acceptable for someone who is representing our university," Hammond said in a written statement.
"If the coach of one of our athletic teams became angry and 'mooned' officials, student athletes and fans during a sports event, he or she would no longer be a coach at Fort Hays State University," Hammond said. "Standards for our debate program are certainly just as high."
Shanahan said that Hammond is doing what he believes is best for the university.
The video showed Shanahan, 47, in an angry confrontation with Shanara Reid-Brinkley, the debate coach from the University of Pittsburgh, following a debate between the Fort Hays State and Towson State of Maryland.
Top ads RSS
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Blog: Name That Tune! July 5, 2009 · 30 comments
- Blog: Sarah Palin: With Interest July 4, 2009 · 141 comments
- Tiller murder suspect advocates ‘justifiable killing’ via mail from jail July 5, 2009 · 41 comments
- U.S. must restore faith in monetary system July 5, 2009 · 23 comments
- Shooting in Douglas County sends Eudora man to hospital, suspect turns gun on himself July 5, 2009 · 36 comments
- Three detained after Sunday nightclub shooting July 5, 2009 · 54 comments
- Poll: What do you do when you have a bad experience at a restaurant? July 5, 2009 · 21 comments
- Couple speak out on transgender issues July 5, 2009 · 51 comments
- On the street: How is your summer going so far? July 5, 2009 · 16 comments
- Palin links her resignation to ‘higher calling’ July 5, 2009 · 53 comments
- A new reign: Lawrence landmark the Castle Tea Room open again after extensive renovations July 5, 2009
- Couple speak out on transgender issues July 5, 2009
- Increased government control poses threat to America July 4, 2009
- Shooting in Douglas County sends Eudora man to hospital, suspect turns gun on himself July 5, 2009
- Free State Brewing Co. and WheatFields among 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine June 19, 2009
- He made a decision, not ‘a mistake’ July 5, 2009
- CHARLIE HOAG HOPES FOR PLAYING TIME October 10, 1999
- Serial killings have South Carolina residents on edge July 4, 2009
- Having the money talk: Financial communication essential for couples June 29, 2009
- NBAF funding cut from bill June 26, 2009
22 August 2008
at 10:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Pywacket (Anonymous) says…
Yeah—they both should have been fired and sent to therapy.I'd love to be a fly on the wall if they happened to sign up for the same anger management support group meetings!
22 August 2008
at 11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
RogueThrill (Anonymous) says…
Bill was a nut, but it's sad to see a good program I once participated in shut down. FHSU admins doted on it's debate program and it was always well funded and reported.In other news, my high school debate coach is currently on trial for solicitation of a minor. It would appear that street lights are not the only thing to shut down when I walk near them.
22 August 2008
at 11:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
dweezil222 (Anonymous) says…
Pity the whole team is paying for the stupidity of their coach.
22 August 2008
at 11:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Confrontation (Anonymous) says…
Why are they doing this?! That was the only interesting debate tournament that anyone has ever seen!
22 August 2008
at 11:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
PleaseBeSerious (Anonymous) says…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXwy2V…
22 August 2008
at 1:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
admireed (Anonymous) says…
Politically correct move.
25 August 2008
at 10:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
bigbill (Anonymous) says…
What is with these aging hippies white guys, anyway? Their time is over, gone, kaput, finito. It is a new America. They need to retire to their marijuana farms and go senile. Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman are dead and gone. This guy needs to leave, too. What's that he said? He thought the debate was “a safe space”? What the heck kind of moron is he? He is a communications professor and he figures he can throw a tantrum, drop trou, record it on video tape, and nothing is going to happen? The guy is an idiot. Does he know what the Internet is? Does he have clue number one? Could he find a clue with both hands? What an embarrassment for Kansas, Fort Hayes, the white race, and the Cross-Examination Debate Association. They all look like morons to be associated with this guy.
25 August 2008
at 11:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
DaMama (Anonymous) says…
He's not immature? Excuse me!!!! Anyone who uses the “F” word to get a point across is not only immature, but seriously lacking in English vocabulary skills. This guy is supposed to be a debate coach? They are supposed to thrive on the English language and how to use it. What a moron. I'm so glad he was fired. What an embarrassment to all.
25 August 2008
at 11:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Were I on the FHS debate team, I would be looking for that coach.
26 August 2008
at 12:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
merrill (Anonymous) says…
It was nothing more than substantial debate which included freedom of expression. Lively debate. Frank Zappa would have loved it.
26 August 2008
at 9:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (Anonymous) says…
So the other coach still has a job?
26 August 2008
at 12:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
downs1 (Anonymous) says…
A great demonstration of what the culture is becoming. I think of some of the great debates over the decades and the protocol and decorum used and then to see this is really disturbing. Some said it was “funny,” some said it was “disgusting,” and some said it was “sad.” Proverbs says, “A man who cannot control his temper is like a city without walls.” In other words, you have no defense! When you lose your temper, you lose! Foul language doesn't help to win an argument. Mooning an opponent doesn't strengthen your argument. These actions simply show how needy you are! For a professor this is really a poor showing! It also shows that the institution isn't very particular about the character of its faculty.