Four decades after Sports Illustrated sued to allow female journalists to conduct interviews in locker rooms, five months after Cam Newton was raked over the coals after laughing at a woman asking about a football play, we must again talk about how male athletes and coaches treat women in the media.
Last night, WKU’s Rick Stansbury addressed sideline reporter Laura Britt as “honey” pic.twitter.com/BuEONYpZ7A
— Noah Coslov (@NoahCoslov) March 9, 2018
The Hilltoppers had just defeated Alabama-Birmingham in the Conference USA tournament quarterfinals when Britt asked about their semifinal matchup with Old Dominion. Western Kentucky swept the regular season series with the Monarchs.
“Honey, you understand those other two games have nothing to do with this game, no matter how much we beat them by?” Stansbury asked rhetorically. “It has absolutely nothing to do with it.”
Britt didn’t exactly appreciate the interaction.
and on #InternationalWomensDay nonetheless 🤔 https://t.co/LaIsdA54SX
— Laura Britt (@Laura_Britt_) March 9, 2018
Stansbury has yet to apologize, though some on Twitter seem to be demanding one.
Western Kentucky coach Rick Stansbury is a jerk no matter what day it is ... stop calling female reporters "honey" https://t.co/7Mgpe7s2TF pic.twitter.com/PQ6x2aHtw2
— Andy Clayton (@aclayton33) March 9, 2018
Just saw what Rick Stansbury said to @Laura_Britt_ last night. Sorry but the "southern gentleman" routine back was so 40 years ago. Disrespect should be met with disrespect.
— Matt Perrault (@sportstalkmatt) March 9, 2018
The faux pas could come back to bite Stansbury, whose name has been floated for the coaching vacancy at Mississippi. He was previously the head coach at Mississippi State and an assistant at Texas A&M.
Western Kentucky and Old Dominion will tip off at 4 p.m. Friday in Frisco, Tex. The winner faces Marshall or Southern Mississippi for the tournament title (and an NCAA tournament berth) at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
More college basketball: