Wednesday, December 01, 2004
FW:
IU, Don't Even Bother: Don't call me for money. After I graduated from the school, all the folks at IU have done is stick their hand out, even while I toiled at the best job my IU Journalism degree could get me: a $310 a week sportswriting job in LaPorte, Ind. I'd manage $25 here and there, and gave some more as I made more money. But no more.
The athletic department is in debt, and to close its annual deficit, the shool has imposed a $30 "fee" on the general student body. They're also paying so many people not working for the athletic department anymore: Ron Felling, Jim Izard, Bob Knight, Mike McNeely, Clarence Doninger, Kris Kirchner, etc. So many people let go before their large contracts were up. Izard sued the school for gender discrimination, and settled with the school. Knight's lawsuits are ongoing, and testament to the school cutting corners when offing him. Former university President Myles Brand parlayed the Knight axing into a job with the NCAA in Indianapolis, and the school UNBELIEVABLY decided to honor the remainder of his contract. There was even talk of leaving Brand's post open if he chose to return. Thank God that never happened.
Of course, now IU fired Gerry DiNardo after giving him a whopping three years to turnaround a program that hasn't been to a bowl game in 10 years. Three years is quite a long time, isn't it? Especially when his first year was a short recruiting year for him, and he had a hard time getting enough players suited up that first season. He never had a chance to coach his first recruiting class as seniors. Shameful.
But at least he'll be paid for two more years.
It won't be my money. The university has done enough in letting the school go to Hell to depreciate the value of my degree. As far as reputation, I might put IU ahead of Ohio State in the Big Ten. Maybe. It carries nowhere near the prestige of Northwestern, Penn State, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Iowa, Wisconsin and even Minnesota.
Maybe I was sorely mistaken, but I thought when I made the choice to attend IU, it was among the best in the Big Ten. It wasn't a Northwestern or Michigan, but it was as good or better than just about any other Big Ten school. Academically, that is. (Meanwhile, they were competitive on the football field and basketball court.)
I hope some IU telefunder calls me. I hopefully can be harsh enough on him or her to cause said telefund student to quit.
And by the way, Notre Dame is just as nuts for canning Willingham with three years left on his contract.
The athletic department is in debt, and to close its annual deficit, the shool has imposed a $30 "fee" on the general student body. They're also paying so many people not working for the athletic department anymore: Ron Felling, Jim Izard, Bob Knight, Mike McNeely, Clarence Doninger, Kris Kirchner, etc. So many people let go before their large contracts were up. Izard sued the school for gender discrimination, and settled with the school. Knight's lawsuits are ongoing, and testament to the school cutting corners when offing him. Former university President Myles Brand parlayed the Knight axing into a job with the NCAA in Indianapolis, and the school UNBELIEVABLY decided to honor the remainder of his contract. There was even talk of leaving Brand's post open if he chose to return. Thank God that never happened.
Of course, now IU fired Gerry DiNardo after giving him a whopping three years to turnaround a program that hasn't been to a bowl game in 10 years. Three years is quite a long time, isn't it? Especially when his first year was a short recruiting year for him, and he had a hard time getting enough players suited up that first season. He never had a chance to coach his first recruiting class as seniors. Shameful.
But at least he'll be paid for two more years.
It won't be my money. The university has done enough in letting the school go to Hell to depreciate the value of my degree. As far as reputation, I might put IU ahead of Ohio State in the Big Ten. Maybe. It carries nowhere near the prestige of Northwestern, Penn State, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Iowa, Wisconsin and even Minnesota.
Maybe I was sorely mistaken, but I thought when I made the choice to attend IU, it was among the best in the Big Ten. It wasn't a Northwestern or Michigan, but it was as good or better than just about any other Big Ten school. Academically, that is. (Meanwhile, they were competitive on the football field and basketball court.)
I hope some IU telefunder calls me. I hopefully can be harsh enough on him or her to cause said telefund student to quit.
And by the way, Notre Dame is just as nuts for canning Willingham with three years left on his contract.
