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| Photo by Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com |
Following reports in the campus newspaper that he used the N-word to a player on the men's basketball team during an open gym this week, Benedictine University has removed Keith Bunkenburg's name from the school's athletics website and has named an interim coach in his place.
The reports, published by The Candor earlier this week, detail an incident in which Bunkenberg, said the word to Kevin Agwomoh. It was followed by a heated exchange in which Bunkenburg allegedly defended his right to use the word.
Bunkenburg, the 2016 D3hoops.com men's basketball Coach of the Year, did not reply to the newspaper's request for comment.
“He shot me a text later on that day, he just didn’t seem sincere, he didn’t feel like he messed up. This is someone who is supposed to be a leader on campus, my personal leader, my coach,” Agwomoh told the newspaper.
"Yesterday evening we became aware of an alleged incident involving a member of our coaching staff making a racially insensitive remark," read a letter from the office of the president to the campus community. "We immediately launched what will be a thorough investigation. However, as we move forward, let me be clear: We have zero tolerance for this behavior. We will not allow or tolerate racially insensitive remarks. We will not allow any member of our community to suffer from racial incidents or actions."
Bunkenburg has been head coach at Benedictine since 1995 and compiled a record of 436-266. The Eagles were 13-12 this past season.
Jordan Townsend has been named the interim coach.