Coach Bowden's silence a concern
Monday, September 08, 20081 comment(s) | Default | Large
In 2005 Clemson University head football coach Tommy Bowden graciously agreed to act as a spokesperson for the first-ever statewide public awareness campaign on domestic violence in South Carolina.
“There is No Excuse for Domestic Abuse,” a project of The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault, was generously supported by Verizon Wireless.
Coach Bowden joined with University of South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier and South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough to send a powerful message denouncing domestic violence in all its dreadful forms. Coach Bowden’s face appeared on billboards and signs across South Carolina, and in numerous commercials that were run during prime football-viewing time slots. The campaign was intended to reach out to men and boys with the message that there is indeed “no excuse for domestic abuse.”
On June 21, 2008, Clemson University linebacker DeAndre McDaniel was arrested after his girlfriend accused him of choking and punching her, then pushing her down a flight of stairs.
McDaniel was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and was accepted into a pretrial intervention program Friday, Aug. 21. It was reported in The State newspaper Thursday, Aug. 28, that Clemson University President James Barker and Athletics Director Terry Don Phillips have signed off on a recommendation by Bowden not to suspend McDaniel. Coach Bowden has deferred to the university’s statement for comments about the situation.
SCCADVASA is genuinely dismayed and disappointed that Coach Bowden has not responded publicly to bring attention to the inexcusable crime of domestic violence, especially considering his involvement as a spokesperson for the “There is No Excuse” campaign. While SCCADVASA understands the need for diplomacy and a careful examination of the facts before reacting to such a situation, it appears that Coach Bowden and Clemson University have missed a perfect opportunity to address the unacceptable, violent and illegal behavior that accompanies abuse of a partner or loved one. We expected Coach Bowden to take a more visible and vocal stance in opposition to violence against women in connection with the McDaniel case, reinforcing his message that such violence cannot and will not be tolerated.
According to statistics from the FBI, more incidences of interpersonal violence were reported among 16-24 year olds in 2007 than any other age group. In that same year, South Carolina ranked #7 in the nation for the number of women killed by men. These statistics reveal the need for strong role models to stand up and speak out against interpersonal violence.
By their silence, Coach Bowden and Clemson University may have reinforced the widely held view that athletes who perform well are excused from unacceptable, and in this case, criminal behavior. The key to ending domestic violence is to involve the entire community in efforts to educate and raise awareness. Our hope is that Coach Bowden will address the behavior of DeAndre McDaniel in a way that reflects the message of the public awareness campaign he so valiantly championed − regardless of how well Mr. McDaniel performs on the field.
− Rebecca Wiilliams, Communications Coordinator
− Vicki Bourus, Executive Director
S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault
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TSatterfield wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:20 PM:
Mr. Bowden, I just wanted to remind you of a PSA that you, along with Coach Pugh, and Coach Spurrier did. I also want to remind you that the State of SC is 6th in the country in Domestic Violence deaths. I am appalled that you have yet to make a comment on this situation. I am curious if this PSA only applies to non-football players whom have no ties to Clemson University. You as a fixture of the University have a duty to make a comment, and show that you are not giving the wrong message to the state, and infinitely more important, the Young men on your campus that it is ok for them to place their hands on a woman. If you are indeed the Religious moral man that you claim to be , I know you in your heart of hearts that you will do the right thing, and at least make a comment that you have at least spoken to the person at hand.
Thank you for responding to this,
however.. this is the response back I got from the Associate AD...
Thomas thank you for the e-mail…
Coach Bowden is out of town but has made a statement in that he is gathering all the facts on the case.
I think you may remember the Duke case where the young men there were condemed before the facts were in.
You may want to check out the paper today where DeAndre was cleared by the judiciary board at Clemson.
I know as a moral man you don't want to jump to conclusions and believe just one side of the story that was reported.
Andy Johnston Associate AD Football
These two exchanges show exactly what I feared, and you reported in your article. It is ok to be a spokesman when you are not directly involved, however if it affects what you do, you act like you are not a part of it. I am very upset at Clemson's lack of support for the CDV campaign in South Carolina "