GV offensive coordinator announces resignation
January 30, 2020
Update 4:35 p.m. – Berger released an open letter on Twitter where he said he “failed to uphold (a) responsibility” to the GVSU community. In the apology, he expressed regret over his comment, saying there was “no justifiable excuse” for his actions
“It is my hope that you will consider accepting my apology,” Berger wrote. “I recognize that I cannot undo the hurt and embarrassment that I have caused.”
Grand Valley State University’s offensive coordinator, Morris Berger, announced his resignation following his suspension earlier this week. In a press release, the University stated that there was mutual agreement between both parties. Berger’s resignation is effective immediately, as of Thursday, Jan. 30.
Berger faced suspension earlier this week following comments made during an interview with the Lanthorn where he suggested he would like to dine with Adolf Hitler. In his first public statement following his suspension, Berger provided reflection on his resignation.
“Over the last 11 years I have taken great pride in the responsibility and privilege of being a teacher, coach, mentor, and a valued member of the community,” Berger said. “I was excited and proud to be at Grand Valley, and am disappointed that I will not get the opportunity to help these players in 2020. However, I do not want to be a distraction to these kids, this great university, or Coach Mitchell as they begin preparations for the upcoming season.”
Football head coach Matt Mitchell said that he accepted Berger’s decision to resign, noting it would provide an opportunity for the team to move on and look toward the future.
“Nothing in our background and reference checks revealed anything that would have suggested the unfortunate controversy that has unfolded,” Mitchell said. “This has been a difficult time for everyone. I accepted Coach Berger’s resignation in an effort for him to move on and for us to focus on the team and our 2020 season.”
GVSU President Philomena Mantella also addressed the campus community in an email, saying that the University strove to protect its values as a “welcome community for all students, faculty and staff.” The investigation into Berger’s comments came swiftly after they were published, the email read, out of concern for their impacts on the campus community.
“We acted expeditiously and responsibly by suspending Mr. Berger and requesting the Office of Human Resources commence an investigation into this matter,” Mantella said. “Although we received wide-ranging views on the appropriate action, we isolated the issues, affording a reasoned, principled process, which is what we owe all members of our community. Now we can move forward.”
Alan Myrtle • Feb 6, 2020 at 9:21 pm
Mr. Berger caused massive damage to GVSU’s reputation in his brief ten day career. Now he is being paid $90,000 to go away…$9,000 for each of those ten awful days.
In comparison, an assistant professor with a Ph. D. in chemistry might earn $60,000 per year. When did a terrible assistant coach become more valuable than a good professor?
Bob Wire • Feb 1, 2020 at 2:10 am
Arent they pretty much Dutch Reformed in that area? Real strident in their “ways’…certaintly didnt like Hitler during WW2 in Holland and such, but this is a bit much. Maybe the dude wanted to pick Hitlers brain over lunch, or was it dinner? Either way, stupid on both fronts—for saying it, and then basically firing the idiot.
dum • Jan 31, 2020 at 12:18 am
didn’t know having opinions was illegal in GVSU, what a well rounded and discussion based University where civil discourse isn’t allowed
Jan • Jan 30, 2020 at 11:24 pm
Most of discrimination cases in education are settled quietly. Teachers can admire Nazi ideals as long as they don’t leave a trace of it on record.
“It’s difficult to find data showing how often an investigation results in colleges being required to address compliance concerns, as opposed to a lack of evidence that a violation occurred.
But experts say the vast majority of Title IX investigations result in a resolution agreement, where the college or university denies wrongdoing”
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2014/10/federal_title_ix_investigation.html#incart_river
Some time ago the Faculty Athletics Representative at Grand Valley State University, “the most important member of GVSU athletics” per Lanthorn article, got his story to go viral after approving a Republican “bake sale” for the student group he was advising. Later to save face, he claimed he didn’t know how “bake sale” worked.
Most of all, he still claimed that they “do not feel they violated any section of the student code”. No ethics, just the written rules of law or policy.
https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/threads/offended-students-find-gop-bake-sale-tasteless.93716/
kroz • Jan 30, 2020 at 4:18 pm
Morris Berger did nothing wrong. His take was totally reasonable. He’s just another victim of the brutal chainsaw of hysteric backlash that gashes anyone who mentions a certain historical figure with anything other than spastic shrieks of outrage and disgust. PC GONE MAD! P.S. check out thegreateststorynevertold.tv for more analysis!
Greg • Jan 30, 2020 at 3:14 pm
No apology, eh? Just gonna pump his own tires about how he’s a teacher and a “valued member of the community”? Not ours, buddy. Get out and never come back.