Hockey coach is fired for posing with man dressed as a Nazi at Halloween party that sparked fury
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A Drake University hockey coach has lost her job after taking a picture with a man in a Nazi uniform at a Halloween party that has caused outrage in Iowa.
Jessie Rudin, a former Bulldogs player who later joined the coaching staff, was seen smiling alongside the man - identified as Donnie Gardner - as he performed a Nazi salute.
Gardner's costume also included a dark moustache, a swastika armband and an iron cross medal.
As reported by KCCI, the picture was taken at Miss Kitty's Bar in Clive, Iowa. The owner claims he has received death threats in the wake of the party, while someone is reported to have posted a sign outside the bar. 'We (heart) nazis,' it read.
On Saturday, Drake University confirmed Rudin had been removed from the coaching staff, telling KCCI her behavior was 'completely inconsistent' with the school's values.
'Drake University unequivocally condemns all forms of hate speech and discriminatory symbolism,' said Vice President and Dean of Students Jerry Parker.
A hockey coach has lost her job after taking a picture with a man in a Nazi uniform at a party
Jessie Rudin, a former player who later joined the coaching staff, pictured on the team website
'Such behavior stands in direct opposition to our values of respect, inclusion, and integrity.'
According to her profile, which remains on the team website, Rudin played for the Bulldogs between 2022 and 2024. She returned to the school 'to support the team from behind the bench'.
Rudin is also listed as a 'Rural Rehabilitation/Assistive Technology Professional' on the website of Easterseals Iowa, which 'provides exceptional services to ensure that all Iowans with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.' The company told KCCI that the picture 'does not reflect our values.'
The Daily Mail contacted Rudin for comment.
Miss Kitty's is facing a backlash, too, over the Halloween party that has sparked fury among organizations including the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines.
The owner of the bar, however, told KCCI he believed they were 'being treated unfairly.'
'This is my livelihood,' the man - who went only by EJ - said. 'We do not support Nazis and never will.' He also revealed that Miss Kitty’s phone and social media pages had been disabled due to the abuse.
In a message to WOI-DT, Gardner admitted his costume was 'very controversial,' but insisted he did not 'idolize or worship the man or anything he did. I simply wore it as a costume for shock value.'
Daily Mail
