If you were watching last night’s NCAA women’s basketball tournament game between Princeton and Maryland, you may have noticed more security guards than normal at Maryland’s Xfinity Center. Well, it turns out that someone got the bright idea to make a crank call threatening President Obama’s niece, a backup forward for Princeton.
Leslie Robinson, a freshman from Corvallis, Oregon; is the daughter of ESPN college basketball analyst Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama’s older brother. She played in 26 games this year, but didn’t play in either of the Tigers’ NCAA tournament games. Nonetheless, police were understandably on edge earlier in the day when a woman called the Maryland campus police to say that a man armed with a Glock was driving on campus. The caller indicated that the man was going to be in attendance for that night’s game–and intended to target Robinson.
Law enforcement subsequently determined that in all likelihood, the call was a hoax. However, for obvious reasons, no one was willing to take chances. In addition to the usual security presence, a cordon of undercover security officers were stationed behind Princeton’s bench. In the event something had happened, a Secret Service detail was already in the arena. Not for the president and first lady, who didn’t attend the game–but for Supreme Court justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Sadly, this took the focus away from the Tigers’ bid to continue their undefeated season. They went into their second-round clash against Maryland with a record of 31-0. However, they lost to the Terps 85-70.
While Robinson didn’t know about the threat at the time, her coach, Courtney Banghart, did know about it. At a press conference after the game, Banghart said that Robinson was safe and sound in the locker room. She was, however, disappointed that she was being asked about “a freak.” That’s understandable. What should have been one of the great stories of this college season has been derailed by yet another sad commentary on the level of civility in this country.
As of now, no charges have been filed. But someone might be in for a rather unpleasant reality check–a lot sooner than later.
