The
column I wrote last week regarding
the firing of college coaches set off a flurry of communications I never
expected. I have now received over 80 emails (including one from Rick
Minter’s mother), as well as innumerous personal contacts regarding my
column and the information it contained about Steve Logan’s terms of
dismissal prohibiting him from going on campus.
That bit of information obviously struck a nerve among
readers who were not aware of the clause. Frankly, I did not realize I was
actually breaking news. My purpose was simply to compare the fact that other
coaches were treated with more respect than Coach Logan was treated in his
termination agreement.
The document was public last December and many in the
media had copies of it. I actually believe it was reported at that time, so
the mention of it in my column was not intended to set off a discussion
about it. Perhaps the timing of this particular column served to get the
attention of those who were not that interested a year ago.
I think it is extremely important for people to
understand that the administration responsible for this unfortunate clause
in Logan’s dismissal agreement is no longer employed by the university. I
wish that I had stated that in the column but honestly I thought that point
was clear.
I realize there are those, like myself, who felt Logan
was mistreated and that his removal was more about personalities than
win-loss records. However, unlike angry but well-intentioned reader Phil Garvin, who
was prompted by my column to submitt a Letter to the Editor putting forward
a drastic suggestion, I would never
accept the proposition that displeasure should be shown about Logan's treatment
by withholding donations to the Pirate Club. That would serve only to hurt the
student athletes and programs being funded.
It is probably not necessary for me to write this
letter, because I have no doubt that dedicated Pirate Club members who
understood the point of my column in the manner it was intended will articulately rebut Mr. Garvin's
suggestion with letters to the editor of their own.
That having been said, I want to state my firm position
that I do not support the idea of withholding your Pirate Club donations.
Henry Hinton
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02/23/2007 10:11:57 AM
