Local and national gay and lesbian rights groups urged the University of Hawai'i to "act swiftly" after its football coach, Greg McMackin, used a gay slur at a press conference yesterday.

McMackin used the six-letter slur to describe a chant the Notre Dame football team performed at last year's Hawai'i Bowl Banquet. He called it a "little f----- dance."

"Behind closed doors is bad, but to voice the 'F' at a press conference at the Western Athletic Conference Football Preview is unacceptable," Carolyn Martinez Golojuch, president of the O'ahu chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, said in a release.

"This discriminatory incident is a reflection of widespread verbal abuse that many times leads to assaults in our society."

McMackin made the remark at the Western Athletic Conference Football Preview in Salt Lake City, where coaches were given 30 minutes with reporters to talk about their teams.

McMackin, who used the word several times, initially asked reporters in the room to not publish his remarks. He later made several apologies.

"I sincerely apologize for the inappropriate words that I used," McMackin said in a statement. "My comments were out of character and I have no prejudices against anyone. I'm really upset with myself and I'm truly sorry for my remarks."

Word of it quickly spread, sparking Martinez Golojuch of PFLAG to call UH President David McClain's office and garnering national attention, including a segment on ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption."

"These comments as reported are an outrage and we urge the University of Hawai'i to act swiftly to take the proper steps to ensure this does not happen again," Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said in an e-mail to The Advertiser.

MEETING TODAY

Yesterday's incident could result in disciplinary action by UH.

According to the WAC Code Book's article on sportsmanship, "an institution's athletics personnel shall refrain from making negative comments regarding other institution's players, teams, coaches, staff or the institution itself."

The code book further states an institution needs to respond to the alleged violation and suggest penalties, if any. WAC Commissioner Karl Benson will then have 10 working days to review "the adequacy of the institution's determination and penalty related to the alleged violation(s)." The commissioner may impose additional penalties, which could range from a reprimand to suspension.

"Hurtful language like this has no place in our community, and particularly not among leaders of our UH-Manoa campus," Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said in a release.  "Athletic director Jim Donovan and I will be discussing with coach McMackin further steps that will be taken to reaffirm his and our commitment to fair and equal treatment of all."

Donovan and McMackin will meet today.

Hinshaw said the university is working with its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Student Services for "the best approach to address this issue."

Martinez Golojuch said McMackin needs to do more than apologize. Her organization called for the UH president to ensure McMackin funds a public service announcement on the dangers of abusive language on the field and classroom, donates $10,000 to a gay support group for LGBT youth, and that the UH athletics staff attend diversity training with a professional trainer.

"If we let this coach slide on through, he won't have learned a lesson and neither will any other coach or students standing there listening," Martinez Golojuch said yesterday.

CONTRACT TERMS

Under terms of his contract, McMackin "shall be subject to disciplinary or corrective action by the athletics director." "Misconduct" is listed under reasons for disciplinary or corrective action.

Donovan spoke with McMackin yesterday, but declined comment on personnel matters.

"Obviously we don't condone his remarks, particularly since we take such great pride in the diversity of our state and university," Donovan said in a statement. "I've conveyed my disappointment to him and he has expressed deep regret for showing such poor judgment."

McMackin's contract has no reference to the use of offensive language. But it does note he "shall make all reasonable efforts to project a positive image and take no action detrimental to the sports program."

The contract outlines how McMackin, whose $1.1 million annual salary is the highest among state employees, could be terminated with and without cause.

He could be terminated for cause by:

• "Engaging in conduct which is unlawful, or results in coach's conviction of a crime, or displays a continual or serious disrespect or disregard for the character of the university, or causes notorious and public scandal."

• "Committing material or repeated violations of any provision of this agreement or policies of university."

• "For any other reason constituting cause."

Honolulu attorney Michael F. Nauyokas, who specializes in employment law, said McMackin's apology would mitigate any violations of his contract.

"I wouldn't think the most severe sanction, termination with cause, would be appropriate," Nauyokas said. "Would he be subject to discipline? I say yes. That's subject to Jim Donovan's call under the agreement."