The Nykesha Sales controversy took an ugly turn at the end of last week when one of the participants dared -- ye gods! -- to say something true. As most sports fans and even many non-sports fans now know, Nykesha was the star scorer on the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team. An injury had sidelined her just as she was one point shy of breaking the school's career scoring record. In collusion with the Big East commissioner, game officials, and an opposing coach, U. Conn's coach arranged for Nykesha to hobble down the court against Villanova and score an uncontested two points, thus ensuring her place in the school's record books.
Isn't that sweet? Isn't that appalling? Opinion is divided. But the real opprobrium seems reserved for Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese, who let slip he would never have approved the plan if a men's coach had requested it. "Men compete, get along, and move on with few emotions," the knuckle-dragging Tranghese said. "But women break down, get emotional. . . . When I have a situation involving females, I try to look at it with more sensitivity." For saying what everybody knows to be true, Tranghese will be pilloried. Already by Friday he was getting scolded in the New York Times; he is probably in for much worse. These are dangerous times in which to be "sensitive."