EDITORIAL: DOES NANCY ZIMPHER WANT A WHITER UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI?
By Ralph Hutchinson, Sports Editor
After 16 years, just a few shy of the minimum for a
retirement with full pension, University of Cincinnati
men's basketball coach Bob Huggins is history. On August 23, University
President Nancy Zimpher sent an ultimatum to the coach's lawyer, saying he had
until 2 PM of the 24th to resign, or be fired. He was unable to personally
respond, as he was out of town at the time. She held a press conference that
afternoon to explain why Huggins had to go. Some statements in that conference
sounded disturbing, and bordering on racist. She says she wants "higher
standards." Just what does she mean by that?
Why is Nancy Zimpher so determined to be rid of Huggins? She talks about wanting
a new direction as UC enters the Big East Conference. Is Bob Huggins a losing
coach who just cannot take them there? Hardly! He is the winningest coach in the
history of the institution with a record of 399 and 127. That is a .759 winning
average. His 16 years have included 14 consecutive NCAA appearances. In five
different seasons, at least one organization named him coach of the year. He was
even named Conference USA's coach of the decade. The list of his accomplishments
goes on and on, so there is no question as to whether he is good enough to coach
in the Big East. A better question would be, "Can anyone fill his shoes now that
the competition is going to get much tougher?" Since winning is not the problem,
is it loyalty? Huggins has turned down offers from the NBA's Los Angeles
Clippers and Miami Heat. He even said no to his alma mater West Virginia, rather
than abandoning UC or its players. If this is not loyalty, what is?
Since winning is not the problem, and loyalty is not the problem, could it be
that Nancy Zimpher sees Bob Huggins as an embarrassment? There is one legitimate
thing Nancy Zimpher could cite if she does see Huggins that way. He was arrested
for DUI in June of 2004, and pleaded no contest. That was certainly a blow to
his reputation, and the university's, but if that was the problem, why was he
not fired right then?
Over the years, some of the players Huggins has recruited have not graduated,
and others have gotten into trouble with the law. When this has happened, talk
radio switch boards have lit up. Callers have accused him of recruiting players
who have no academic credentials just because they can play basketball. To be
fair, there have been players who left early for the pros or got into trouble,
but why single out Bob Huggins? All major college programs have lost student
athletes to the pros. From time to time, all colleges and universities have had
student athletes get in trouble. It seems to me that the NBA and NFL use college
as a farm system, and that our whole society gives special treatment to athletes
that may go to their heads, and make them think that they can do no wrong. These
problems are much bigger than one coach.
Some of Huggins' most vicious critics on talk radio and other forums have gone
beyond accusing him of bringing unqualified students to UC. A few have gone so
far as to accuse him of bringing a criminal element to campus, citing players
like Ruben Patterson, Donald Little, and Roy Bright. Does Zimpher agree with
them? In her press conference she said, "Character counts," and that she makes
"no apologies for setting high standards". Does "high standards" mean that
underprivileged and minority youths who may not have the best grades and test
scores, but are hoping for a chance at a higher education through athletics, are
no longer welcome at the University of Cincinnati? Is it now an institution for
wealthy suburban and usually white kids with high grades and test scores only?
Over the years, countless young people from humble backgrounds have been given
the opportunity to learn at the university level because of their athletic
talents. Not all have taken full advantage of these opportunities, but many have
seized them and excelled. At the same time, many wealthy suburban kids with good
high school grades and test scores have come to campus only to drink, party, and
flunk out.
Is Nancy Zimpher saying that Huggins and his players have poor character, or
that he has low standards? Does Nancy Zimpher want a whiter University of
Cincinnati? Are the hate and venom spewing callers to talk radio the people she
wants to impress? I hardly think that they will be the ones to decide what
reputation UC will have as an academic institution.
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