MEN'S BASKETBALL: Players, students surprised by resignation
Newell says Thompson was remorseful when he told team members
Ryan Wood and Levin T. Black
Although the 2007 men's basketball season didn't result with a successful record, players on the team were disappointed when Ronny Thompson resigned as coach.
Thompson hosted the Cardinals' players at his home to confirm rumors that he would be leaving the program Thursday, the same day the official announcement was made.
"He brought a lot out of me this season that I didn't know could come out of me," junior forward Anthony Newell said at a Friday press conference. "So he just kind of felt bad because he had to leave me and a few other players he brought a lot out of. It was just basically a lot of remorse [on Thompson's part] and feeling bad that he had to leave us like this."
Senior point guard Peyton Stovall, who was not in attendance at the players' meeting with Thompson, said he had heard speculation that Thompson was leaving the team for nearly a month.
However, he said he was surprised to hear the news when Thompson did resign.
"I knew things were a little bit scratchy with the racial things and the violations, but I didn't know it would amount to this," Stovall said. "As a player, when you hear [those rumors] you don't think it's going to happen. Until it actually comes true, you don't really realize it."
Other student athletes, and students at Ball State were surprised to see Thompson go. While Thompson left on his own accord, junior football player Marcus McClure said he feels Thompson was pushed out.
"I didn't know him personally, but I assumed he was a good coach," McClure said Sunday. "I feel he was kind of driven away from Ball State due to all the hate letters and things of that nature."
Despite the letters with racial slurs, McClure said he doesn't believe racism is a problem at Ball State.
"I think this is a pretty good campus, pretty diverse campus," McClure said.
Freshman Ball State student Justin Davis said the color of Thompson's skin shouldn't be a reason to dislike him.
Thompson hosted the Cardinals' players at his home to confirm rumors that he would be leaving the program Thursday, the same day the official announcement was made.
"He brought a lot out of me this season that I didn't know could come out of me," junior forward Anthony Newell said at a Friday press conference. "So he just kind of felt bad because he had to leave me and a few other players he brought a lot out of. It was just basically a lot of remorse [on Thompson's part] and feeling bad that he had to leave us like this."
Senior point guard Peyton Stovall, who was not in attendance at the players' meeting with Thompson, said he had heard speculation that Thompson was leaving the team for nearly a month.
However, he said he was surprised to hear the news when Thompson did resign.
"I knew things were a little bit scratchy with the racial things and the violations, but I didn't know it would amount to this," Stovall said. "As a player, when you hear [those rumors] you don't think it's going to happen. Until it actually comes true, you don't really realize it."
Other student athletes, and students at Ball State were surprised to see Thompson go. While Thompson left on his own accord, junior football player Marcus McClure said he feels Thompson was pushed out.
"I didn't know him personally, but I assumed he was a good coach," McClure said Sunday. "I feel he was kind of driven away from Ball State due to all the hate letters and things of that nature."
Despite the letters with racial slurs, McClure said he doesn't believe racism is a problem at Ball State.
"I think this is a pretty good campus, pretty diverse campus," McClure said.
Freshman Ball State student Justin Davis said the color of Thompson's skin shouldn't be a reason to dislike him.
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