UPDATED: MAY 25, 2013, 3:23 P.M.

Defensive midfielder Drew Jenkins contemplated boycotting a game earlier this year after assistant coach Lelan Rogers used the word “colored” while giving a scouting report, according to The New York Times.

Jenkins also considered asking his two black teammates — Hakeem Lecky and Daquan Rockett — to join the boycott but decided not to, according to the report. Instead, he demanded an apology.

“I didn’t mean it in a derogatory way,” Rogers told The New York Times. “I made a comment — an inappropriate comment. It was wrong at the time. I apologized there, on the spot. I apologized again to the team later. I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I meant it in a good way. But obviously it came across not in a positive way.”

Athletic Director Daryl Gross said in a statement that the athletic department values its diversity and is “extremely sensitive to offensive behavior or statements.”

“This incident occurred several months ago and it was addressed through the proper University channels as soon as I was made aware of it. The matter was handled internally with an emphasis on apology, accountability and education,” Gross said in the statement.

In the statement, he also mentioned the university’s various educational resources and programs that educate members of the athletic department to “ensure total respect and understanding.”

“Though individuals make mistakes, ignorance is not an excuse and we do not condone regretful statements,” Gross said in the statement.

Rogers has worked with the SU men’s lacrosse team since 2005, when he joined as director of lacrosse operations. He has served as the team’s defensive coordinator since 2007. He graduated from Syracuse in 1987 and was previously the head coach at SUNY Cortland.

 

Published on May 25, 2013 at 11:41 am

Contact Jacob: jmklinge@syr.edu | @Jacob_Klinger_