Re: Support for Coach Huggins

[Myles Berling]

MessageI could not have said it any better myself.

By the way I could not attend the event tonight.  Could someone fill us in on what happened.

Also, I do not appreciate Bob Goin saying we do not know the whole story.  Well we are big boys and girls and can handle the truth.  Why not tell us?  UC is not a private business.  We pay the bills of the athletic department.  Why don't we have the right to know the whole story?  Don't be a lap dog Goin.  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Adam Weigand 
  To: address@hidden 
  Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 7:19 PM
  Subject: RE: [UC Basketball] Support for Coach Huggins


  Bearheel,

  Nice to have you on the forum!  What transpired at Fountain Square today was the culmination of weeks, if not months, of frustration by Bearcats fans loyal to both the program and its coach.  What you saw were fans frustrated with the process and looking for a way to vent this frustration towards the administration.  NZ is at the center of this obviously.  My main problem (not speaking for all) is that she has failed to ever adequately address the situation to the public.  I don't want to hear Goin talk about us "not know the whole story", quite frankly we have asked and not been told.  Some may argue it is none of our business, however we are the people that pay UCATS dues, that donate to the university, that buy the tickets for the games.  I believe we have a right to know.

  We want closure, or direction, not a lame duck coach basically getting it handed to him by someone that knows nothing about what this university is all about, much less what this basketball program is all about.  Our boos and attacks are out of frustration, and I do not think that they would influence this administration to choose against Huggins.  I doubt the BOT or NZ would say, "well they are booing me?? there is no way I'm extending him now..."  The fact is none of us believe that NZ knew what she was getting herself into when she picked this fight for a second time.  While I agree in some respects with her intentions (to have a program we can be proud of and that doesn't bring embarrassment to the university), I also believe we already have that.  Media bias is a powerful tool, see graduation rates and successfully prosecuted arrests.  UC is no different than any other big time program out there.

  That is my take and that is why I booed.  She thinks Bob Huggins is everything that is wrong about UC, quite frankly he is a big part of what is right, just ask Jason Maxiell, the ONLY first round draft pick with a college degree, or any of his former players.

  And BTW, I'm sure watching UC rock Oregon at MSG was awesome, but nothing compared to watching them blow out UNC in Chicago!!!  Not a slam on UNC by any means, but after that I knew we had arrived and would be around for a long time...

  Adam

  -----Original Message-----
  From: address@hidden [mailto:address@hidden 
  Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 7:12 PM
  To: address@hidden
  Subject: [UC Basketball] Support for Coach Huggins


    I've been a reader of Bearcatnews.com for quite a while and particulalrly enjoy recruting news as well as analyses provided by knowledgable fans of UC football and basketball games.

    I am registering for the Forum becasue I want to offer some comments and questions of my own after watching (on TV and on line) today's "celebration" at Fountain Square and reading all the comments forum members have made since the Huggins/Zimpher controversy erupted.

    First, I commend the energy and efforts of everyone who has worn t-shirts, displayed banners and pointed out all of Coach Huggins' strengths and the reasons for extending his contract.  These efforts should surely influence decision-makers and help keep him.

    However, I do not understand what is accomplished by booing President Zimpher at Fountain Square or by making what seem to be mean-spirited comments and threats againt her, the Trustees, or the athletic director in forums like this one.  Maybe I'm missing something, but the booing and the vengeful comments seem likely to influence decision-makers in the opposite direction - and make it less likely that Coach Huggins will have his contract renewed.

    Surely there must be a better way...

    PS: since I'm newly registered to the forum, a bit of background that can help readers judge whether my thoughts are worth anything:  (1) I've lived most of my adult life in North Carolina and Ohio, with brief interludes in Florida, California (where they think UC refers to another university), and the New York area.  (2) For as long as I lived in North Carolina I was a season ticket holder to UNC football and basketball games.  (3) For as long as I've lived in Ohio, I've been a season ticket holder to UC football and basketball games.  I don't get to too many away games, but I've been to a few: watching Bobbitt destroy Oregon in the Meadowlands was much more fun than watching us falter in the NCAAs in Rupp Arena against Mississippi State.  (4) I was a manager/statistician for my alma mater's Division II basketball team for several years, but alas was too short and too slow to play...