Michigan State cut links with provider and apologises for Adolf Hitler image
Michigan State University has apologised after displaying an image of Adolf Hitler on their videoboard at Spartans Stadium before Saturday's college football game against the Michigan Wolverines.
It featured as part of a pregame quiz for Spartans fans accompanying a question asking which country Hitler was born in. The answer to the trivia question, Austria, appeared beside the image on the screen around 80 minutes before kick-off.
ESPN reports that further quizzes did not feature on the videoboard during the game. The school's associate athletic director, Matt Larson, has since released a statement claiming the content came from an external source.
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"MSU is aware that inappropriate content by a third-party source was displayed on the videoboard prior to the start of tonight's football game," it reads. "We are deeply sorry for the content that was displayed, as this is not representative of our institutional values.
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"MSU will not be using the third-party source going forward and will implement stronger screening and approval procedures for all videoboard content in the future." Michigan State made no further comment about the vetting process of the content before it appeared on the screen.
As reported by the Detroit Free Press, the image is seemingly identical to one used by The Quiz Channel on their YouTube video 'General Knowledge Trivia Quiz (Part 18)' from October 13. It was the start of an embarrassing evening for MSU, as once the game got underway, they lost 49-0 to their in-state rivals.
The photo of Hitler was on the videoboard under an hour and a half before kick-offIt also comes less than a month after the Spartans sacked their football head coach, Mel Tucker, for cause late last month. The dismissal came following an investigation by USA TODAY into sexual harassment allegations against the coach.
Prominent American activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy made the claims. Tucker's subsequent termination letter saw MSU athletic director Alan Haller detail the negative publicity that the school were dealing with as a result.
“Your unconvincing rationalisations and misguided attempt to shift responsibility cannot and do not excuse your own behavior," the letter concluded.“Had you not engaged in this inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, the University would not be subject to public disrespect and ridicule regarding your actions.”
MSU's in-state rivals also came into this game under a cloud after an announcement that the NCAA are investigating the program over alledged sign stealing. Their under-fire head coach, Jim Harbaugh, robustly defended himself in a released statement.
"I want to make it clear that I, and my staff, will fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter," it reads. I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment.
"I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action. I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules."
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