Sports
Illinois State-Norfolk State basketball: Alleged slurs bring ejections – Peoria Journal Star
Illinois State University men’s basketball saw 3,788 fans visit legendary Horton Field House Saturday when the Redbirds hosted Norfolk State University, but not all of those fans got to see the entire game.
ISU head coach Ryan Pedon − a former assistant coach at Ohio State University and Butler University under Chris Holtmann − and NSU head coach Robert Jones got into a heated battle in front of the scorer’s table with about 8 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the second half.
Benches cleared, technicals flew for both coaches and fans were ejected in the Redbirds’ 64-58 loss to the Spartans.
According to The Virginia Pilot reporter Michael Sauls, the game broadcast noted there were one or two Illinois State fans who allegedly made comments of a “racial nature” that were directed at Norfolk State guard Jamarii Thomas.
Thomas led all scorers with 31 points.
According to Norfolk State coach Robert Jones, racial slurs were used and it is why the altercation with Ryan Pedon took place in front of the scorer’s table.
The coach took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to explain in his own words what went down during the game.
“I’m not letting anybody call my players a racial slur,” Jones said on Twitter. “Those are my kids and I will fight for them. We have come too far in society to be called the ‘N-word’ at a college basketball game.”
The junior guard from Greensboro, N.C., is the Spartans’ leading scorer through 10 games this season. He is averaging 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game for Norfolk State, which is a historically black university.
Pedon issued an apology through Illinois State men’s basketball’s Twitter account.
“I reached out this morning to coach Robert Jones to offer my apology for my reaction during our game last night. I take full responsibility for my actions,” Pedon stated.
“I was wrong for allowing the situation to escalate. I expressed to coach Jones after the game − I absolutely did not hear what he was saying to me. Had I heard coach Jones, my response would have been completely different. This was a misunderstanding in which I reacted to him without understanding the situation, and I own that mistake 100%. I would also like to apologize for any negative reflection my response may have brought to either institution, its student-athletes or basketball programs.”
Norfolk State University competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Norfolk State University men’s basketball is a NCAA Division I team.
Illinois State Univeristy competes in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Illinois State University men’s basketball is a NCAA Division I team.
Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.
