The bill, which was pre-filed by state Rep. Rick Brattin, apparently was in reaction to African-American athletes at the University of Missouri going on strike last month amid a campuswide call for university system president Tim Wolfe’s resignation because of his handling of several racial incidents on campus.
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Mizzou scholarships, however, are funded not with state money but through the Tiger Scholarship Fund, which relies on private donations and thus is not under legislative control. The bill’s introduction Monday caused an uproar; opponents said it would have violated students’ First Amendment rights.
The bill also proposed fines for any coaches or staff who encouraged athletes to participate in strikes.
Wolfe resigned on Nov. 9 and university chancellor R. Bowen Loftin was reassigned. Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel, who supported his players’ strike, announced his resignation soon after because of health reasons.
Brattin pulled the bill without comment.
UPDATE: Brattin said in a statement Wednesdauy afternoon, “I sincerely believe students should be able to express their viewpoints, but I also believe our flagship state university has to keep and maintain the order that is expected from such an esteemed educational institution.”
The Post-Dispatch reported that Brattin told a Kansas City radio station his measure was not racially motivated. He said attempts to make such a link are “complete garbage.”
