Media releases

• Brock to name new women’s basketball coach

  Wednesday, June 15, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA ADVISORY: R00123 – 14 June 2016
   

  The Brock University Badgers will introduce their new women’s basketball head coach at a press conference Wednesday, June 15.

  Media are invited to attend the event at 11:45 a.m. in the dance studio overlooking Bob Davis Gymnasium. Neil Lumsden, Director of Athletics and Recreation, will introduce the newest member of the Badgers varsity coaching staff, who will take the reigns of the women’s basketball team.

  “We’re excited to be able to announce this new hire,” Lumsden said. “This is a bright young star that has coached in the OUA and CIS and has experience as a player, as well. We’re excited about where this person will be taking the program.”

  The new coach, as well as Lumsden and other Brock officials, will be available for photos and interviews after the brief media conference.

  What: Introduction of Brock’s new women’s basketball head coach
  Where: Dance Studio overlooking Bob Davis Gymnasium (entrance at top of stairs near Walker Complex welcome desk)
  When: 11:45 a.m. – Wednesday, June 15

  For more information or to confirm attendance:
  *  Shawn Whiteley, Co-ordinator of Sports Information, Brock University swhiteley@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x4506
  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970
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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock experts offer reaction to Orlando tragedy

  Wednesday, June 15, 2016 | By Brock University

  EXPERT ADVISORY: R00122 – 13 June 2016

  The massacre of 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando early Sunday morning was an unthinkable tragedy that serves as a chilling reminder that homophobia still exists, says a Brock University professor.

  Julian Kitchen, an associate professor in the Department of Teacher Education, says the killings prove there’s still a long way to go when it comes to equality.

  “This reminds us that the fight for rights and for acceptance isn’t over,” says Kitchen. “As a gay man, this creates feelings of vulnerability.”

  “It used to be an act of courage to go to or march in a (gay pride) parade. More recently it has become more of a celebration. I think this will add a certain amount of gravity to the celebrations this month.”

  As a Faculty of Education professor, Kitchen instructs future teachers on how to handle diversity issues in the classroom.

  “The best way to prevent big things like this is to address the little things,” he says, pointing to bullying issues like name-calling or shoving as things that lead to bigger problems.

  Another Brock associate professor, Angela Book, from the Department of Psychology, researches topics such as psychopathy and victim selection.

  She says the terrorist responsible for the attack in Orlando is a textbook narcissist.

  “The narcissism makes them think that they deserve to do this,” she says. “If they’re disenfranchised, one way they think they can get famous is by doing something like this.”

  Book is concerned that media coverage focusing on the shooter or highlighting that it was the deadliest attack ever will make others think they should do something similar — trying to beat the record in some sort of sick, psychotic contest.

  “It’s upsetting that they give so much attention to it and the person. They’re using headlines that only encourage copycats,” she said. “It’s definitely a danger.”

  Brock University President Jack Lightstone also issued a statement Monday morning cautioning against reprisals for the “reprehensible” massacre.

  “Over the weekend at a gay club in Orlando, Florida, 49 persons were shot to death and about 50 others were wounded when a gunman, self-proclaiming allegiance to the ‘Islamic State’ (IS), opened fire with an automatic assault weapon.
  

  “In the past it has been my practice to issue statements when shooting incidents have occurred in educational settings, on the campuses of sister institutions, however I feel compelled to also speak out in this instance.
  

  “This is the largest number of victims of any mass shooting in the United States (or Canada). That the victims apparently were targeted specifically due to their sexual orientation makes this act of violence all the more reprehensible, if murdering innocents were not reprehensible enough.
  

  “I should like to express my personal and Brock’s sympathies to the families of the victims and to the survivors. I also wish to state that any act of reprisal against our Muslim friends and neighbours would be equally reprehensible and cowardly. Bigotry is not the answer to bigotry. Rather we all need a society in which empathy is increasingly the norm.”
  — Jack Lightstone, President and Vice-Chancellor, Brock University
   

  Members of the media are invited to speak with either Julian Kitchen or Angela Book about this issue.
   

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970
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  Categories: Media releases