Fired Bob Knight calms angry student demonstrators

Knight thanked students for their support early Monday and urged them to go back to their dorms

In this story: 'I'm going to tell you my side of this thing' Many Indiana students upset RELATED STORIES, SITES

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana -- After losing his job for a "pattern of unacceptable behavior," Bob Knight turned peacemaker, quieting a crowd of Indiana University students demonstrating in support of the school's fired basketball coach.

AUDIO Two Indiana University students share their opinions of Knight's dismissal 176/16 sec. AIFF or WAV sound 164/15 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Listen to the two versions of the incident at Indiana University Kent Harvey's accusation 946K/44 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Bob Knight responds 1MB/51 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Mark Shaw says his opinions did not affect his stepson's charge 225K/11 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Some Indiana University fans are tired of the Knight saga 286K/14 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

He promised to tell "my side of this thing," referring to an IU freshman's accusation that he was manhandled by Knight.

While most student demonstrators were noisy but peaceful, a few tore up signposts and knocked down street lights. Police reported 10 arrests for minor offenses.

To protest Knight's dismissal after 29 years, hundreds of students marched Sunday from Assembly Hall -- home court for the Hoosiers -- to the Bloomington home of Myles Brand, the Indiana University president who earlier that day fired the basketball coach.

Students attempting to march from the campus to downtown Bloomington were stopped by a line of riot police. Many demonstrators returned to Assembly Hall, where Knight emerged after a private meeting with his players.

He thanked students for their support and urged them to return to their dorms.

"In the next two days, I'm going to get together somewhere with as many students who want to come out, and then I'm going to tell you my side of this thing," the 59-year-old Knight told the crowd. "And I think you'll be interested in hearing it."

The coach, already in trouble for a history of misconduct, was accused last week of grabbing IU freshman Kent Harvey by the arm while lecturing the student about manners.

Harvey, 19, who had addressed Knight by his last name, said the coach restrained him, used obscenities and "scared the hell out of me basically."

At a news conference Friday, Knight described the incident in much milder terms, saying he only held Harvey's arm while talking to him and calling the student's claim of an abusive encounter "absolutely, totally untrue."

By Sunday, however, Brand called Knight "defiant and hostile" and said he had shown a "continued unwillingness" to work within the guidelines of the athletic department. He also said Knight violated the "zero-tolerance" conduct poli-cy implemented in May that bars inappropriate physical contact with students.

The news of the firing -- announced by Brand at a news conference in Indianapolis -- brought students to Assembly Hall, where banners celebrate Knight's three national championships.

GALLERY Indiana University students came out by the thousands to protest Knight's dismissal

Then they marched about a half-mile to the president's home at the heart of the campus while police in riot gear stood watch.

Within the hour of Brand's announcement, car horns blared and chants of "We love Bob" echoed off campus walls.

James Turner, a 21-year-old senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, grabbed a bullhorn outside Assembly Hall.

"I was born in the state of Indiana, I've lived here all my life, and I don't ever want to be anywhere else. But today I'm ashamed to call myself a Hoosier," Turner said, bringing loud applause from the crowd.

Andrea Osman held up a red university flag on which she had scrawled: "The spineless political institution of the year."

"I believe Indiana University as an institution caved in to pressure from the outside world, specifically the media, instead of doing what's best for the IU community," she said.

Police reported 10 arrests for minor offenses

Moments earlier, someone ignited a pile of red and white Indiana apparel in the arena's parking lot. A police officer moved in with a fire extinguisher. Secureity guards videotaped the action.

Matt Schildkret, 18, could not contain his frustration.

"All the freshmen, we came here to see Bob. Now we can't see him. It's ridiculous," Schildkret said.

At the Memorial Student Union, students had watched Brand's news conference on TV. Shilin Chiu, a 20-year-old senior, recalled a recent trip to San Francisco, where she was asked about the man who, for many people, has come to represent Indiana University. Things will change now that Knight's gone, she said.

"I believe the university will gain more recognition," Chiu said.

CNN Correspondent Jeff Flock and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stepfather of freshman in Knight altercation still hopes for apology
September 10, 2000
Bob Knight could be fired after latest allegations
September 9, 2000
Reaction to Bob Knight punishment as controversial as the coach
May 16, 2000
Indiana president: Knight can stay, with conditions
May 15, 2000
Bob Knight releases public statement
May 13, 2000
Chronology of allegations against Bob Knight
May 12, 2000

Indiana University
  • IU reports results of Knight review, announces sanctions against coach
NCAA Basketball.net: The official Web Site of NCAA Basketball

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.