Ex-Star: Ky. Discouraged Interracial Dating

The Washington Times ^ | 5-17-05 | AP

[JZelle]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Former University of Kentucky basketball star Rex Chapman says school officials tried to stop him from dating black women, and asked him to at least hide the relationships to keep from inflaming fans.

"There were certain aspects of my time there that were really ugly," Chapman, who is white, said in a story published by The Courier-Journal on Monday. "I don't know how it is today, but that's how it was 20 years ago."

Chapman said scrutiny of his private life by athletic department officials, boosters and others hastened his departure from Kentucky. He left after two seasons and entered the NBA draft in 1988.

"People were bothered by the fact that sometimes I dated black girls" he told the newspaper. "Most preferred that I keep it confidential and hide it." He said he wouldn't name names, but was talked to about it "at least a half-dozen times or more."

[Hillwoman]

Rex Chapman left because Kentucky was about to go on probation and not even be on TV for a year. I remember it well, was at UK myself at that time and in horrible mourning over it! Couldn't blame him for leaving, seemed the sensible thing to do for his career. People seemed to segregate themselves on campus back then, something that bothered me as a student. But I am getting old, this was a long time ago to go after my Alma Mater now. Of course Kentucky is considered one of those evil red states and therefore socially dispicable. One thing for certain on any college campus, you will always find some idiots.

[JZelle]

If you read the whole article, Chapman said he thought racism may have played a part in Nash winning the MVP over Shaq this year.

[Borges]

Gotcha. I remember Chapman when he was on Miami sinking like 12 3 pointers in a game against the Chicago Bulls when they won 72 games. It was one of their 10 losses that year.

[AbeKrieger]

Why do you think O.J. really got off the hook?

because he killed a white woman who was dating a black guy? ;)

[IMissPresidentReagan]

Chapman never seemed happy to be at UK, even before the probation. (Thanks a lot Eddie Sutton) As far as a career choice, I don't blame him. I don't know much about the race relations on campus when Chapman was there, but to a certain extent I think people will always segregate themselves, right or wrong. There are idiots on every campus, but Chapman's comments just strike me as someone having sour grapes. Why else bring it up now?