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The Utah State University Board of Trustees is hiring an independent investigator to examine allegations that Noelle Cockett, the university's president, made discriminatory remarks about a candidate to become the university's head football coach, The Deseret News reported.
On Friday, the football team opted out of playing a final game of the season to draw attention to its concerns. The concerns involve comments Cockett made to the team -- which were not recorded -- in which she is alleged to have made discriminatory statements in regard to the candidacy of interim head coach Frank Maile, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is of Polynesian descent. Another person was hired for the job.
Crockett issued this statement: “I am devastated that my comments were interpreted as bias against anyone’s religious background. Throughout my professional career and, especially, as president of USU, I have welcomed the opportunity to meet directly and often with students about their experiences. Regardless of how difficult the conversations might be in the coming days, I remain committed to giving our students a voice.”
