Former UC coach Huggins to keep job at West Virginia, but at a price
As we mentioned, part of the punishment is that Huggins undergo training sessions with West Virginia's LGBTQ Center. Right under, we're joining us tonight here in studio with a closer look at what that training will entail, and then also how Huggins and his staff will be evaluated after that training. Brad. Well Kyle, sensitivity training is a broad term. It can mean discussions on racial diversity, cultural diversity, gender differences, or all of the above. For Huggins and his staff, it will focus on all aspects of homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and more. West Virginia University says Bob Huggins' pay cut of a million dollars will go towards the university's LGBTQ plus center and other groups that support marginalized communities.
Today, the center put out a statement reading in part, while others may be surprised that the situation occurred and the result. We deal with this every day. We will use this as an opportunity to strengthen and build bridges and look forward to working closely with Coach Huggins and the administration. WVU says the center is developing new training materials with experts in athletics to cater to special needs of coaches and student athletes. Well, it gets people to see us, in this case, the LGBTQ community, as people. Karen Morgan teaches ally training through her business, the Equality Academy. Education, raising awareness.
I mean, sometimes people will call this sensitivity training. I think it's just educating people about in this instance LGBTQ plus people. Morgan says sessions also discuss appropriate language and misinformation. And when people don't understand something, they can make them be afraid of it, and so a little bit of education can go a long way. The program also includes scenarios to help people react in the moment someone says something inappropriate, racist or homophobic. Do you go to your supervisor, human relations, or confront the person? And there's not one right answer. And the key thing here is there's not one right answer for each person because it depends on what you personally are comfortable with doing.
The key? Do something. Don't be silent. We're here to address behaviors, not beliefs. We're not trying to change somebody's beliefs. Yes, you hope as they're getting the training, maybe it opens up people a bit to maybe shift some beliefs. But really what we want to focus is on how we behave as human beings towards each other being respectful. There's a perception out there that people do the training and move on with little impact.
Check the box. West Virginia says that's not going to happen and that it will receive frequent updates on this and other aspects of the requirements outlined in that joint statement from the university's president and athletic director. Kyle. Alright Brad, interesting perspective there. Thank you so much. If Huggins makes any more derogatory comments, he will then be fired. Additionally, Huggins will make a donation to the Center for Faith and Justice and its Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Xavier University.
WKRC, WKRC Local 12, Cincinnati, Ohio