Vice President and Dean of Students Jerry Parker sent out an email at noon on Nov. 2 to Drake University students announcing the dismissal of Jessie Rudin, a volunteer coach for Drake Hockey Club.
The dismissal came after a photo circulated online of her posing with a man giving a Nazi salute dressed as Adolf Hitler for Halloween. The photo was taken Oct. 31 at Miss Kitty’s, a bar in Clive.
The photo was first posted on Instagram and soon circulated through local Reddit threads and Facebook posts, gaining state-wide attention.
Facebook comments under those posts ranged from users wondering why those in the photo “thought that was a good idea,” to other users saying it was “just a costume.”
Individuals on Facebook tagged Drake in the posts regarding the photo, and the Drake Facebook page responded with statements similar to Parker’s email.
A student notified Parker about the photos just hours before the email was sent.
“Drake University unequivocally condemns all forms of hate speech and discriminatory symbolism. Such behavior stands in direct opposition to the statement of principles to which we hold ourselves accountable,” Parker said in the email. “… This should serve as a good reminder that wherever you are — whether on campus or off — your actions can be photographed and recorded by anyone with a phone and distributed to the masses.”
Upon a Times-Delphic request for further comment, Parker had nothing more to add to his email.
Drake Hillel, the Jewish student organization on campus, gave a statement to the TD.
“This situation is extremely disheartening and impacts everyone, especially Jewish students,” said Macy Gardner, the vice president of Hillel. “This man’s heinous costume perpetuates and glamorizes Hitler’s atrocities. Actions such as this one contribute to the rising rates of antisemitic acts and make many Jews feel unsafe in public spaces. Hillel is a resource and safe place for Jewish students to express concern. We are here to support the students that are affected, so please reach out to us through email or Instagram.”
The hockey club released a statement addressing the situation on their Instagram page, @drakeclubhockey.
“The Drake Hockey Club was alarmed to learn of this situation and immediately notified University leadership, who took swift action to dismiss our volunteer coach,” the club said in the post. “We hold our players to the highest standards as representatives of Drake, and we expect no less from our coaches.”
