Baylor University and its men’s basketball head coach Scott Drew have refused the use of a Jeep Wrangler wrapped with the school’s national championship logo after the vehicle dealership’s general manager made a racially insensitive comment about it on television.
As reported by The Associated Press, the customized Jeep was driven in the team’s championship parade through downtown Waco on Tuesday night, and was then going to be given to the school for Drew to use for the next year.
However, when talking about the vehicle with CBS affiliate KWTX before the parade started, Ted Teague, of the Allen Samuels dealership in Waco, said Drew could enjoy the Jeep and “use it to recruit, pull some people out of the hood.” Based on his own facial expression as the reporter started to ask another question, Teague appeared to know immediately that the remark was inappropriate, and by the following day he had apologized.
“As the word came out of my mouth, I instantly knew it was the absolute wrong word,” Teague said in his statement of apology Wednesday. “I know that I disrespected a countless number of people within our amazing Waco community, and beyond. I am deeply disappointed and saddened by my actions and offer each of you my most sincere apologies.”
The dealership had provided women’s coach Kim Mulkey a Corvette to use for a year after the Lady Bears won national championships in 2005, 2012 and 2019.
The men's championship, which came with a 86-70 win over previously undefeated Gonzaga on April 5, was the first in school history.
Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades and Drew say they spoke directly to Teague in the interview's aftermath.
“His remarks do not align with our institutional values or the culture of our athletic programs," the two said in a joint statement Wednesday. "We can confirm we are not accepting the Jeep driven in the parade on Tuesday. As a department, we are committed to recruiting a diverse group of student-athletes, coaches and staff, all of whom are valued members of our community.”
