A volunteer hockey coach at Drake University, Jesse Rudin, was let go after being photographed with a man dressed as Adolf Hitler during Halloween festivities. This incident occurred at a party on Friday at Miss Kitty’s Country Bar and Nightclub in Clive, Iowa. The man in the Hitler costume, local business owner Donnie Gardner, wore an armband with a swastika and other Nazi-associated items.
On Saturday, Drake confirmed Rudin’s termination, stating that her actions contradicted the university’s principles.
Gardner acknowledged his costume during an interview, where he expressed a sort of casualness about the implications of his portrayal of a historical figure associated with hate.
Dr. Jerry Parker, the vice president and dean of students at Drake, emphasized that the university condemns hate speech and symbols that go against their values of respect and inclusion.
A bar patron, Kennedy Power, who captured the moment on camera, expressed disbelief at the situation, stating it was “absolutely unbelievable.” She raised concerns about Gardner’s costume but was reportedly dismissed by the bar’s owner, EJ, who later shared remorse for not taking action sooner.
In an attempt to address the backlash, Gardner described the costume as “very controversial,” claiming it was worn for shock value rather than admiration. He later accepted full responsibility, apologizing to those affected by his actions and emphasizing that the blame should rest solely on him.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines responded, expressing deep concern over the incident, stating that a costume representing Hitler is not a satirical or harmless choice, but rather an expression of anti-Semitism. They called for immediate condemnation of such actions from community establishments.
