Rene Portland coached women’s basketball at Penn State University for twenty-seven years. There is no doubt that her skills as a basketball coach on the court are excellent, but what she demands of her players is cause for concern.
For many years leading up to her resignation, rumors floated around about Rene Portland banning all lesbians from her basketball team, and all players from associating with lesbians. From this, Portland created a hostile and intimidating environment for any homosexuals wishing to openly express their sexual orientation.
Clearly breaking discrimination laws, Rene Portland was awarded numerous coaching awards throughout her career including coach of the year in 2003 and 2004. If Reggie Bush has been stripped of his Heisman Trophy award for breaking rules and not following the policies in place, I believe that Rene Portland should also have her awards questioned. A coach is a person who helps guide athletes not only on the court, but through life. Undoubtedly Rene Portland understood the game of basketball very well, but failed to accept players who had beliefs differing from her own.
-Brian Cordeiro
Kin 332i tu/th 12:30 - 1:45
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