Scarlet Knights' Final Four season is marred by radio host’s racist, sexist slurs

As Rutgers celebrated the Scarlet Knights women's basketball team’s first-ever trip to the NCAA championship game, the moment was tarnished by the racially and sexually insensitive remarks of radio personality Don Imus and his colleagues.

“Mr. Imus' shocking comments last week were despicable and deeply hurtful to our students, our coach, and their families. They were also offensive to every member of the Rutgers community, as well as to people across the nation,” said President Richard L. McCormick, in a statement to the university community. “Racism and sexism have no place in our society and are completely at odds with our values as a university that celebrates diversity and civility.”

Imus apologized for making the remark on his April 4 show, carried on the MSNBC cable news channel and CBS Radio. MSNBC cancelled Imus' talk show simulcast April 11 after advertisers such as Staples, Inc., Procter & Gamble, and American Express withdrew their sponsorship.