HONOLULU – December 8, 2011 (updated Dec. 10th)–Chaminade University has accepted the resignation of its assistant men's basketball coach, Mike Mathey. Mathey had been placed on administrative leave during an investigation regarding a text message that had been sent over the weekend, which contained a racial slur.
"Mike decided it was in his best interest and the interest of the team that he should resign immediately, and we have accepted his resignation," stated Eric Bovaird, Chaminade Head Basketball Coach. "Inappropriate text messaging and the use of racial biased language is not something that will be tolerated neither by me nor by Chaminade University. I am very proud of the fact that we have a very diverse team from various countries and different backgrounds. We stand united together and will move forward as a team," he said.
Chaminade Athletics Director Bill Villa added, "We believe that we handled this unfortunate situation swiftly, fairly and respectively to all parties involved. The team and coaches have done an admirable job of supporting and comforting each other, working through this adversity and re-focusing on their goals and mission. I'm very proud of them."
Former Chaminade men's basketball assistant coach, Mike Mathey, age 24, apologized to the team for his actions after resigning. "I want to say I'm sorry to each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. The text message that was sent was not meant to be degrading. I'm deeply sorry about it," Mathey shared in a written statement.
"I want you all to know, that in no way, shape, or form am I a racist person. I have played sports all my life and played with players of all different races. I lived with an African American for my junior year in college. My best friend to this day is mixed. The person I hung out with most and still stay in close contact with in Germany, was the only African American on the team. I have friends of all different races," he continued.
"I made a big, big mistake, but I am taking responsibility for my actions. I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart. Maybe one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me," he wrote.
Mathey has returned to the mainland.
This was Mathey's first season as assistant men's basketball coach at Chaminade. Originally from Prospect, Ohio, he has played both college and overseas basketball.
Educating students for life, service and successful careers, Chaminade University is a Catholic/ Marianist university offering programs of study grounded in the liberal arts with day, evening, online and accelerated courses. Chaminade is federally recognized as a minority serving institution with its main campus located at 3140 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816, and 10 satellite locations around Oahu. For more information, visit the Chaminade Web site at www.chaminade.edu or call (808) 735-4711.
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