Editorial: Justice Not Served in BC Incident

CHN Staff Report

The incident we reported this week, an alleged racist comment being uttered by a Boston College player at a Providence player, is in danger of fading from the news with no consequences.

We don't know with 100 percent precision the nature of what was done or said. But we've seen enough, and our sources have told us enough, to believe that there should have been some consequences.

We'd like to think that the perpetrator of the remark is at least remorseful and realizes why it was wrong. But we apparently won't find that out any time soon.

What we do know is that Hockey East, Boston College and college hockey lost out on an opportunity to send a message, and to create a teachable moment.

We are not suggesting a tear down of everyone and everything. But we know for sure that what transpired was not good, is certainly punishable, and not what any institution of higher learning should tolerate. Times have changed, and "boys will be boys" and "trash talk" are no longer acceptable excuses for everything. Not if we want to grow the sport and demonstrate that everyone truly belongs. We are not Pollyanna. No one is asking for all trash talk, coarse language and tough play to be removed from sports. But there are lines that cross common decency.

Hockey East said it plans to "pursue new policies regarding education of all of its student-athletes with the goal of preventing any similar incidents in the future." That's wonderful, truly. But more could be done here.

Hockey East said it investigated the incident for a few days, and was unable to conclude definitively who said the remark. Therefore, it could not mete out any punishment.

The fact of the matter is, everyone involved knows who said it. The referee who heard it, and reported it to Providence's bench, knows. The Providence coach who confronted the BC player in the handshake line and demanded an apology (and didn't get it) knows. Boston College coach Jerry York knows. As does, of course, the perpetrator himself.

We feel strongly that Hockey East and commissioner Joe Bertagna care about this incident, and the bigger issue in general. But we also believe that Hockey East essentially lost its nerve when it came to doling out punishment.

Perhaps Bertagna was looking to Boston College to do the right thing itself. The incident happened Friday, and BC could've taken care of it in Game 2 or Game 3. Instead, Boston College decided to sweep it under the rug. Ideally, the team, head coach Jerry York, and school could've stepped up in a variety of ways. They know what happened and could've delivered their own punishment. They did not.

Let's be clear that Hockey East has acknowledged that the remark happened, and that it is certainly punishable. Boston College couldn't even bring itself to acknowledge that much. A token phone call from the athletic director to the player was not nearly enough to placate those involved on the Providence side, from what we understand.

There really is no question what happened. The referee was there, heard what was said, and reported it to everyone (even if his game report didn't 100 percent ID the player who said it).

The only question is whether anyone will do the right thing, and send the right message going forward.

It's possible for everyone involved to live and learn and be better people in the long run. But that does not occur by chickening out, or by sticking one's fingers in one's ears.

— CHN Editorial Staff