Oral Roberts University should be banned from NCAA competition: USA Today editor

An editor employed by USA Today has suggested that Oral Roberts University, a Christian institution that has made a Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, should be banned from NCAA competition over its policies on sexuality.

A private Christian school based in Oklahoma founded by Charismatic televangelist Oral Roberts, ORU has an honor code that prohibits students from engaging in homosexuality or same-sex marriage.

Hemal Jhaveri, editor and columnist at For The Win, which is part of USA Today, penned a column published Tuesday claiming that “the university’s deeply bigoted anti-LGBTQ+ polices [sic] can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.”

“Now, as Oral Roberts gains national attention, the focus shouldn’t just be on their very good men’s basketball team, but on their prejudiced teachings and moral regressiveness,” wrote Jhaveri.

“The NCAA has always been more about paying lip service to ideals of equality and inclusion than action, but Oral Roberts inclusion in the men’s tournament proves how little they actually care about those words, which are emblazoned on their basketball courts.”

Jhaveri went on to argue that ORU’s stance on LGBT issues was “nothing short of discriminatory and should expressly be condemned by the NCAA.”

“The fact is, any and all anti-LGBTQ+ language in any school’s [policies] should ban them from NCAA competition,” she argued.

“However accomplished its young student athletes are, the school is a hotbed of institutional transphobia, homophobia with regressive, sexist policies.”

Jay Maxson of Newsbusters, a branch of the conservative watchdog group the Media Research Center, labeled Jhaveri a “would-be moralistic referee” who engaged in “anti-Christian hatred.”

“USA Today is obviously out of touch with the First Amendment and the right of religious liberty,” wrote Maxson.

Maxson argues that “[a]ttacking the values of Christian universities is now an annual rite and ritual of March Madness media coverage.”

“During March Madness two years ago, Deadspin spewed the same kind of anti-Christian bigotry against Liberty University, the school they called the ‘most hateable’ in the Big Dance. Liberty lost in the first round of this year’s tournament and was spared of another brutal media assault.”

Last week, the ORU Golden Eagles delivered a major upset when they defeated the No. 2 seed Ohio State University Buckeyes in overtime by a final score of 75-72.

Then on Sunday, ORU secured another upset victory against the No. 7 seed Florida Gators, staging a comeback from a first-half deficit to win the game 81-78.

Coach Paul Mills, who recently graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, stated at a press conference after the game that it was “a blessing to coach those guys in that locker room.”

“It’s a blessing to win,” said Mills. “The experience that these guys will have, I don’t mean to come across as if we are content, but I am so happy for those players in that locker room.”

With the win over the Gators, ORU has entered the Sweet 16 of the tournament for the first time since 1974. The team is scheduled to play the University of Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday.

“Hemal Jhaveri”, editor and columnist at For The Win, which is part of USA Today,

Hemal ain’t from around these parts. With a goofy name like that...who gives a damn what he says. These goobers from some dump voicing their opinions about us is tiresome.

ORU speaks to the very heart of what is still great about America..straight up competition. If Hemal doesn’t get that, he should go back to whatever river bottom he’s from, and leave us alone.

Here is that dreaded Honor Code:
In signing the Code of Honor I fully recognize that Oral Roberts University was founded to be and is committed to being a Christian religious ministry and that it offers a lifestyle of commitment to Jesus Christ of Nazareth as personal Savior and Lord and as an integral part of its evangelistic outreach. It is therefore my personal commitment to be a person of integrity in my attitude and respect for what Oral Roberts University is in its calling to be a Christian University.
I PLEDGE to apply myself wholeheartedly to my intellectual pursuits and to use the full powers of my mind for the glory of God.
I PLEDGE to grow in my spirit, developing my own relationship with God.
I PLEDGE to develop my body with sound health habits through the required aerobics program and by participating in wholesome physical activities.
I PLEDGE to cultivate good relationships socially with others and to seek to love others as I love myself. I will not lie, I will not steal, I will not curse, I will not be a talebearer. I will not cheat or plagiarize; I will do my own academic work and will not inappropriately collaborate with other students on assignments.
I PLEDGE at all times to keep my total being under subjection from all immoral and illegal actions and communications, whether on or off campus. I will not take any illegal drugs or misuse any drugs. I will not engage in or attempt to engage in any illicit, unscriptural sexual acts, which include any homosexual activity and sexual intercourse with one who is not my spouse. I will not be united in marriage other than the marriage between one man and one woman. I will not drink alcoholic beverages of any kind; I will not use tobacco; I will not engage in other behavior that is contrary to the rules and regulations listed in the Student Handbook.
I PLEDGE to maintain an integrity of openness to God’s claims on my life, and to do my utmost to know and follow His will for my life.
I PLEDGE to attend class, all required chapel services on campus, and to attend the house of worship of my choice wherever God is honored and lifted up.
I PLEDGE to abide by the rules and regulations that from time to time may be adopted by the University Administration. I understand that Oral Roberts University is a private school and I have no vested rights in the governing of the school. I accept my attendance at ORU as a PRIVILEGE and NOT a right and that the University reserves the right to require the withdrawal of a student at any time if in the judgment of the President of the University or of the ORU Disciplinary/Academic Grievance Committee such action is deemed necessary to safeguard ORU’s ideals of scholarship or the spiritual and moral atmosphere of it as a Christian university.
I will keep the HONOR CODE carefully and prayerfully. I understand that my signature below is my acceptance of the entire CODE OF HONOR and completes a contract between me and Oral Roberts University which is a prerequisite for matriculation and becomes a part of my permanent file. Further, my acceptance of the Code of Honor is a solemn vow and promise to God as to how I will live my life.

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