Binghamton Athletics Shames School, Offends Zoo

Six members of the Binghamton University basketball program were dismissed from the team last week. Emanuel ‘Tiki’ Mayben was arraigned on cocaine distribution charges. Five others -- D.J. Rivera, Malik Alvin, Corey Chandler, Paul Crosby and David Fine -- were released from the team for, "not toeing the line." Basically, the program is a mess, and head coach Kevin Broadus had to make some changes before he became the change.

The Press & Sun-Bulletin of Binghamton spoke with Director of Athletics Joel Thirer, who fell on the sword, saying that if he were the president of the school, he’d ask, "who’s running the zoo?"

Well, the local zoo isn’t so happy with that comment. In a letter to the editor, Amanda J. Padwa, business manager of the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, took umbrage with Thirer’s analogy.

I am tired of hearing that blight on Binghamton University, the men's basketball team, being referred to as a "zoo." ...

Not one of our tigers has been arrested with cocaine. No otter knocks over old ladies to shoplift condoms. Our bear doesn't have temper tantrums and storm off his exhibit. You won't find any of our lemurs busted for smoking pot. So, please, stop insulting zoos by comparing those criminals to us.

As a member of the Philadelphia Zoo, I can attest to the fact that zoo animals are extremely well behaved. Docile, even. They are model citizens ... well, except for the giraffes. Nobody trusts a guy with a neck that long.

(H/T Pete Thamel/NYT)

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