Dayton Flyers men’s basketball coach Anthony Grant delivered an emotional speech after his team’s 68-61 win. to conquer davidson after some of its players received online hate mail from players affected by the results of the game.
Grant, who has been the dayton head coach since the 2017-18 season, he spoke to reporters after some of his players received hate messages online following a 63-62 loss to VCU on Friday night.
Dayton Flyers head coach Anthony Grant during the National Invitation Tournament game against the Toledo Rockets on March 16, 2022 at Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio.
(Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«I have to say something because I think it’s necessary right now,» Grant said Tuesday. «You know, from these young people, we’re asking them to sacrifice quite a bit so that we can do what we do and enjoy what we enjoy. So I’m just asking all of you Flyer fans to understand that we’re dealing with 18-year-olds. , 21, 22 years old, and this is about them.
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«So those of us who love the Flyers, who are the vast majority of our fan base, appreciate them. But if it’s about something else that doesn’t relate to what’s best for kids, what’s in the best interest of this university and this proud program, this community that loves the Flyers… There are some laws that have been enacted recently, that really to me, could really change the landscape of what college sports are all about.» .
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Head coach Anthony Grant of the Dayton Flyers reacts during the game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Capital One Arena on March 11, 2022 in Washington, DC
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Dayton sports director Neil Sullivan told the Dayton Daily News that the players received hate online and «threats of violence» from players across the country who had lost money.
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«And when we have people who care about themselves and attack children for their own agenda, it makes me sick,» Grant added. «They have families. They don’t deserve it. Mental health is real. So if you’re a fan of Flyer, I just ask that you understand what you’re dealing with young people. Is that okay? Take a step back, and reevaluate your priorities And if he can’t, we don’t need him.»
Flyers head coach Anthony Grant leads his team against the Robert Morris Colonials at UD Arena on November 19, 2022 in Dayton, Ohio.
(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Sullivan said there has been an increase in online hate directed at Dayton gamblers since gambling became legal in Ohio.
«These are little kids,» Sullivan said, «and I’m not going to add too much to what (Grant) said, but I’m the paid adult. If someone gets mad, they can get mad at me. They know where to find me. They’ve found me a lot times.
The Flyers are 13-6 on the season and 5-1 in Atlantic 10 conference game.