2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 1/29/07 Section: Opinion
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Hey, Peregrines!
Keep this thought in mind: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
The opening sentence from Charles Dickens novel "A Tale of Two Cities" seems quite appropriate given the current state of the men's basketball program. On Dec. 19, 2006, the men's team played what ended up being the last game of the season when they held Taylor University from Upland, Ind. to 39 points.
It was, by far, the best defensive effort of the season. After watching that game, I couldn't help but think that maybe you were legitimate contenders to win the CCAC championship and challenge for a spot in the NAIA national tournament. But one can't help but wonder now that the season has been completely destroyed, what if?
What if the players from the men's basketball team who are now academically ineligible would have put the same effort into schoolwork as they did that night against Taylor University?
We can wonder all we want. But now, we will never, ever know.
That is the legacy of the 2006-07 men's basketball season here at PUC. The story has even reached national media and internet websites, forcing Rob Jensen, Mike James, and the coaching staff to resign from their positions.
Truly, it is a dark moment for intercollegiate sports at PUC. Anyone who is reading this is compelled to ask whether PUC should continue fielding intercollegiate teams.
John Friend attempted to address the issue when he told The Chronicle that if there are students living on campus, then there is going to be a need for more intercollegiate sports.
One can look at the Purdue main campus, IU Bloomington, or even Notre Dame as examples to see Friend's point.
The immediate challenge is to address the issues which led to the eight players failing to make the grades. However, all of us here at PUC would do well to consider answers to some of these questions as well:
Where should the athletic program be in five years? Ten years?
Should we manage the behavior of student-athletes representing PUC to keep something like this from happening again?
Keep this thought in mind: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
The opening sentence from Charles Dickens novel "A Tale of Two Cities" seems quite appropriate given the current state of the men's basketball program. On Dec. 19, 2006, the men's team played what ended up being the last game of the season when they held Taylor University from Upland, Ind. to 39 points.
It was, by far, the best defensive effort of the season. After watching that game, I couldn't help but think that maybe you were legitimate contenders to win the CCAC championship and challenge for a spot in the NAIA national tournament. But one can't help but wonder now that the season has been completely destroyed, what if?
What if the players from the men's basketball team who are now academically ineligible would have put the same effort into schoolwork as they did that night against Taylor University?
We can wonder all we want. But now, we will never, ever know.
That is the legacy of the 2006-07 men's basketball season here at PUC. The story has even reached national media and internet websites, forcing Rob Jensen, Mike James, and the coaching staff to resign from their positions.
Truly, it is a dark moment for intercollegiate sports at PUC. Anyone who is reading this is compelled to ask whether PUC should continue fielding intercollegiate teams.
John Friend attempted to address the issue when he told The Chronicle that if there are students living on campus, then there is going to be a need for more intercollegiate sports.
One can look at the Purdue main campus, IU Bloomington, or even Notre Dame as examples to see Friend's point.
The immediate challenge is to address the issues which led to the eight players failing to make the grades. However, all of us here at PUC would do well to consider answers to some of these questions as well:
Where should the athletic program be in five years? Ten years?
Should we manage the behavior of student-athletes representing PUC to keep something like this from happening again?
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Charlotte Kreykes
posted 2/01/07 @ 8:28 PM CST
Dear Sports Editor Jessica Cochran,
Both my boyfriend and I had the privilege to watch out first basketball game at PUC and experience homecoming. (Continued…)
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