Former Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson participated in Thursday’s Pro-Am of the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship. He played with Lucy Nunn, a former Arkansas golfer who now competes on the Futures Tour.

After their round at Pinnacle Country Club, Richardson spoke briefly with media members about yesterday’s news concerning Arkansas’ basketball program. Richardson was supposed to play with Pelphrey in the Pro-Am, but Pelphrey withdrew at the last minute.

Here are his comments below:

“I spoke with John (Thursday) morning, and of course, John was supposed to have played with us, but with so many things going on, that this is not one of the important things for him at this stage. The sad part, and we’re all going to face it, and it’s not so much at Arkansas, but all the universities have to be so hands on (with players). And it’s so difficult to you to have that kind of hands on with youngsters 24/7, it’s just very difficult.

“The good part, and I guess it is the good part, is that they were not charged with rape. The thing that bothers you as a parent, and I’ve got daughters, you worry so much about your girls. And of course, I have sons too, so you’re playing both parts, so it’s just an unfortunate thing that happened. That’s just something you don’t ever want to happen.

“You can sit around and talk to (the players), and I know John has done it, I’ve done it and I know other coaches do that, about their conduct off the floor. It’s just as important. And again, you try to penalize them for having bad conduct. I’m sure there will be a penalty that will fit the crime for them. Again, it’s just very difficult. This day in age, it’s even more difficult than yesteryear.

“John and I spoke this morning, he wanted to make sure that I knew that he wasn’t going to be able to do it today, and of course, I didn’t expect him to. We did talk briefly about what has happened. Again, I just said to him that my prayers go out to you, not only you, but the players and the young lady and her family. That’s just the way things work.”