Rutgers to seek independent review of Mike Rice case

Rutgers is commissioning an independent review of the conduct of former basketball coach Mike Rice and the way the university handled his behavior and eventual dismissal.

Video of Rice’s behavior during practices was made public last week, but the university had the video more than five months earlier. In the video, Rice is shown kicking, shoving and throwing basketballs at players and also using anti-gay slurs.

When Rutgers officials first received the video, they fined and suspended Rice and sent him to anger-management counseling. After the video aired on ESPN, and after outrage from members of public, officials decided to fire Rice, who has apologized for his actions.

Athletic Director Tim Pernetti resigned in the wake of the incident. Under a settlement agreement, he is getting $1.2 million in salary, plus an iPad, car allowance and more than two years of health insurance coverage,

Rutgers said its Board of Governors will meet Thursday to discuss hiring an independent advisor to review the case.

Also Monday, board Chairman Ralph Izzo said one member, Athletics Committee Chairman Mark P. Hershhorn, had seen the video in December. Izzo said it was not shown to other members of the board.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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