no doubt chaney’s apology was sincere. that’s highlighted in this article:
[b]Posted on Fri, Feb. 25, 2005
Hawks’ Bryant may be done
The St. Joseph’s senior suffered a broken forearm in a controversial game against Temple on Tuesday.
By Ray Parrillo
Inquirer Staff Writer
St. Joseph’s cocaptain John Bryant, a 6-foot-7 senior forward whose hustle, leadership and defensive prowess have contributed significantly to the Hawks’ success the last two seasons, may have had his college career ended because of an injury he suffered during the controversial second half of Tuesday’s 63-56 win at Temple.
Bryant suffered a non-displaced fracture at the top of his right forearm near his elbow when he was fouled and pushed hard to the floor by Temple’s Nehemiah Ingram, the player John Chaney inserted to retaliate for what the coach perceived as illegal screens by the Hawks.
He is expected to miss at least three to four weeks, which would make him unavailable for the final three games of the regular season, including Senior Day on March 5, and the Atlantic Ten Conference tournament, which begins March 9 in Cincinnati. The standard recovery for such an injury is eight to 10 weeks.
Bryant’s injury was diagnosed after he had an MRI yesterday. X-rays taken Wednesday were inconclusive.
Bryant was fouled after making a layup that gave St. Joe’s a 45-34 lead with 11 minutes, 22 seconds remaining in the game. The 6-8, 250-pound Ingram, a seldom-used player, shoved Bryant to the floor in front of the Temple student section. While he was down, Bryant was spat upon by some in the student section and booed when he got up. Ingram, who committed five fouls in four minutes of play, including a technical foul, almost incited a brawl as he threw his elbows around, connecting with the Hawks’ Dwayne Jones and Pat Carroll.
Chaney, who on Monday threatened to put a “goon” into the game if the officials allowed St. Joe’s to use illegal screens, or moving picks, to free up its shooters, issued an apology and self-imposed one-game suspension for tomorrow’s game against Massachusetts. After Tuesday’s game, Chaney tried to justify his action, saying “I wanted him [Ingram] to put forth some illegal screens just like they were.”
When told that Bryant had been injured Tuesday night, Chaney responded, “That’s what happens. That’s what happens. I’m a mean, ornery SOB, you understand?”
Neither Temple University nor the Atlantic Ten Conference took further action against Chaney, saying they were satisfied with the coach’s decision to publicly apologize and suspend himself for one game. No action has been taken against Ingram. Dan Leibovitz, Chaney’s top assistant, will coach tomorrow’s game against UMass.
In a letter of apology, Temple president David Adamany expressed concern for Bryant and chastised the behavior of the Temple student section.
He said the first few rows of the student section will remain empty at tomorrow’s game at the Liacouras Center.
Neither Chaney nor St. Joe’s coach Phil Martelli returned phone calls last night.
Bryant, a starter last season for the St. Joe’s team that went 27-0 during the regular season and came within seconds of advancing to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament, had become an effective sixth man this season. He averaged 3.1 points and 2.8 rebounds a game and was particularly effective on defense.
[/b]