ACLU Focused on McKay, Giddens: The New Mexico chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has been examining New Mexico’s recruitment of former Kansas guard J.R. Giddens. New Mexico head coach Ritchie McKay has been charged by the ACLU for inappropriately mixing religion and coaching, charges McKay said were “completely asinine.” Quotes by Giddens appeared on ESPN.com and in the Lawrence Journal-World in July when announcing his decision to transfer to the Lobos, and included statements such as “He (McKay) is a Christian coach, felt I could become a better person and build a better relationship with God,” and “McKay talked to me about changing as a person, too. He lives by the Lord, and we talked a lot about that.”
Giddens’ mother also — mistakenly — said New Mexico players were required to go to church each week. New Mexico officials have in the past received complaints about McKay’s strong religious beliefs. However, athletic director Rudy Davalos has indicated that at no point has McKay crossed the line of separation of church and state, and that in McKay’s 18 years of coaching, he has never forced his personal beliefs on his players or staff members. [9/16/05]
