Utah State Interim HC Frank Maile Supports Players’ Game Protest

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State interim head coach Frank Maile released a statement on Sunday after his players decided to not play in the Aggies’ game against Colorado State on Saturday.

“Utah State’s players have opted out of Saturday’s game at Colorado State because of comments by university President Noelle Cockett on Tuesday voicing her concerns about interim Head Coach Frank Maile’s religious and cultural background, Stadium has learned,” Stadium’s Brett McMurphy reported on Friday.

Maile issued the following statement that was sent to KSL Sports on Sunday.

“As all college football fans likely know by now, Utah State University’s final game of the season was cancelled yesterday after USU football players chose not to play in protest of something they feel very strongly about: discrimination and bias.

“It is my understanding — from members of the team leadership council who attended a meeting with Utah State President Noelle Cockett and Athletic Director John Hartwell — that I was not ultimately considered for the position of head coach at Utah State (my beloved alma mater) because of concerns that my religion and Pacific Islander culture would negatively impact the University’s future football program. I have twice served as interim head coach and have gone through the interview process but was not notified of a formal hiring decision until after Noelle Cockett and John Hartwell met with the team.

“As disheartened as I am to learn that this kind of religious and cultural bias exists (because I am Polynesian) at Utah State University, I am equally heart-broken for my players – many of whom are seniors who were preparing for the last game of their collegiate experience. I want to express my upmost respect and admiration for their decision to stand up for what they believe in — and I’m truly honored that they would stand up for me.

“As we move forward, it is important to me to protect both the institution and players that I love. My only hope for this painful and unfortunate situation, is that it will be a positive step in our community’s anti-discrimination journey. To accomplish this, Utah State University Trustees should demand a thorough and independent investigation of religious, cultural and racial discrimination throughout the Utah State University.”

BREAKING: @USUFootball players have reportedly opted out of playing against @CSUFootball tomorrow. #AggiesAllTheWay https://t.co/om9660c0ym

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 11, 2020

After the players released a statement to Stadium on Friday, USU President Noelle Cockett released her own statement in response to the players.

“Utah State University has canceled Saturday’s football game with Colorado State University amid concerns voiced by football players about religious discrimination during the search for a new football coach.

The university will take this time to meet with players and hear their concerns in an open dialogue so it can address them.

“I am devastated that my comments were interpreted as bias against anyone’s religious background,” USU President Noelle Cockett in a statement. “Throughout my professional career and, especially, as president of USU, I have welcomed the opportunity to meet directly and often with students about their experiences. Regardless of how difficult the conversations might be in the coming days, I remain committed to giving our students a voice.”

USU also takes issues of racial discrimination seriously, including the incident mentioned in the statement about a USU Athletics employee. USU hired an outside investigator to look into the incident, and took disciplinary action.”

Utah State announced the hiring of Blake Anderson as the next head football coach. Anderson spent the last seven seasons at the helm at Arkansas State. The Aggies are scheduled to formally introduce Anderson on Monday, Dec. 14.

"USU also takes issues of racial discrimination seriously, including the incident mentioned in the statement about a USU Athletics employee. USU hired an outside investigator to look into the incident.” – @USUAggies #AggiesAllTheWayhttps://t.co/7ejm15tRuG

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 12, 2020