OT: Willingham and the slippery slope

[HOYAPLAYA]

aggypryd said:

What I said was, it bothered me that some Black people feel that they need their worth to be validated by people that aren’t Black…hence the pressure by Jesse Jackson and the BCA placed on ND to hire Willingham…<br>
I also said it’s stupid for Black people to send their kids to institutions that mistreat Black people…Penn State, UNC, Duke and yes…even Notre Dame…this statement has nothing to do with Willingham…this has to do with friends that attended Notre Dame and the many articles that I’ve read about minority students at Notre Dame…<br>
I’ll stand by this statement ‘til the day I die!!! I would never send my child to an institution of higher learning where I know that Black people are mistreated…whether they’re athletes or just regular matriculating students…<br>

Let me start by saying I agree with your first sentence. It's a shame that anyone feels they need someone else to validate their worth and today's society is heading more and more in that direction. However, I don't think the pressure by Jesse Jackson and the BCA had anything to do with that. This is today and will be tomorrow about two things, MONEY and PUBLICITY (which is really driven by MONEY so I guess it's one thing). If they were really working to get more black coaches, then they would be more proactive in seeing some of the great assistant coaches get more recognition for their efforts. It's a shame that there are only 2 black head coaches, but it is even more of a shame that most people who complain about it couldn't name 5 college coordinators/assistant coaches who have been bypassed for opportunities that they deserved. The BCA should concentrate their efforts on landing head coaching jobs for these individuals who deserve it and that has nothing to do with non-Blacks validating their worth and has everything to do with being able to show that you are one of the best at what you do and be compensated for it. Ty will land on his feet, not because he's black but because he's a good football coach and a good leader of young men. It's time for the BCA do some of the hard work, because working the Ty Willingham case is just too easy. By the way, the BCA needs a new spokesman/president. I played against Floyd Keith's URI Rams for four years (1994-1997) and we beat them 3 out of the 4. At no time, should we even came close considering the talent they had on that team. They were about as poorly coached team as I faced in my college days and some of my football buddies and I still laugh about it to this day. If you want to talk about a poor coach, he is the man and a prime example of why I think the wrong leadership is in place.

As far as not sending my kids to institutions that mistreat black people, I'd like to take a good look at that list. I attended Brown University as an undergrad (considered to be the most liberal of the Ivies) and I can tell you that the treatment there wasn't anything to write home about. I came from a very diverse community and assumed that was what I would find on campus. Let's say I was a very disappointed. I have two sons who if they have the grades to get in there, I'm going to send right along to get their degree. First of all, I think it has made me a stronger individual than a lot of my peers and it has allowed me to achieve some of the successes that I have had to date. It sucked while I was there, but I'm a better man for it today. I'll also add that I have a list of schools that I would strongly prefer not to send my kids to (especially if they are athletes), and that is also based on my perception/knowledge of the fan base/alumni so I find no fault in your position.

[hoyaboy1]

Ok, good, I think everyone has reconciled now.

[EasyEd]

I still think we should all cool it. Stop it! End the discussion! It's far past the point of having a decent discussion.

[aggypryd]

SFHoya99 said:

I don't disagree with anything you said there, except I have no idea which Universities mistreat black students...I guess I just misinterpreted something you said. Sorry for jumping to conclusions...

BTW, this line made me laugh out loud: "I can probably name someone I don’t like from every different ethnic group you can think of…(I worked at the World Bank for awhile…)"

The World Bank was a ‘trip’…I felt like the ‘Stupid American’ because I only spoke one language…Most everyone else spoke at least two…very interesting people there…a lot of instances of political incorrectness there…nice place to work for a little while…food in the cafeteria was incredible…I couldn’t make a career there though…<br>
Most beautiful Latin and Asian women I’ve ever seen…I gotta make a trip to Brazil…my wife has vetoed that trip though…smart lady…<br>
I admit, I went around the barn a little just to show you the cow…<br>
It got to the point it was more important to win the argument than to have a discussion about the issue itself…forgive me, please…<br>
The point I was trying to make, even though it may not have been about Willingham’s race, because of the track record they have had with their previous coaches, it would appear to be racially motivated because Willingham didn’t get the same opportunity…<br>
Whether it had anything to do with his skin color is beyond me…but sometimes, the appearance of wrongdoing is enough...

What’s disappointing is that, even though their record didn’t reflect it, they have a pretty good team…If the Irish win 9 or 10 games next year, do not be surprised…the foundation for the offense is there…they just need some help at DB and defensive line…Brady Quinn will be a BEAST next year…<br>

[MCIGuy]

Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese (sp?) was just on the John Thompson show and he lowered the boom on Notre Dame. Without anyone prompting him to do so he came out and said that so many alumni of Notre Dame did not want Willingham there because of his race and that its silly for people to think that that was not a huge part of it. As a person who has a lot of inside access with people at Notre Dame he mentioned to JT and crew that people don't realize how hard it was for the Notre Dame president and others to hire Willingham in the first place because of the race factor.

Now that is his opinion I guess but MT is a guy who was being balanced when discussing ND, he wasn't simply ripping them. He was mostly going after the people with the purse strings at the university. The most hilarious moment was when he took a shot at Regis Phelbin (sp) who he said was routinely critical of Willinghamon his Regis and Kelly Show.

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

I also think it is great how the current President at ND is upset and the head administrator has shaved her head in protest. ND is getting everything they deserve. No Urban Meyer and the best coach for the job they let go.

[HoyaNJ5]

ColumbiaHeightsHoya said:

I also think it is great how the current President at ND is upset and the head administrator has shaved her head in protest. ND is getting everything they deserve. No Urban Meyer and the best coach for the job they let go.

This gets funnier to me every day as well. In my opinion, Notre Dame deserves all the crap they are getting for this firing. I loved "Rudy" and all, but I can't say that I won't be happy if ND loses every football game they play next year.

[the_way]

If you are just realizing now, just because Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese said Willingham's firing was due to race, then, well, you just will never understand.

[MCIGuy]

the_way said:

If you are just realizing now, just because Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese said Willingham's firing was due to race, then, well, you just will never understand.

For this particular discussion I don't base my opinion off of another man's. And I already was of the opinion that race had something to do with what I believe to be a pre-mature firing.