I am once again troubled by the arrogance exhibited by the University of Utah administration. The flagrant foul by a player in a basketball game is unacceptable, but is part of the game. NCAA rules are in place to deal with these behaviors and are more than adequate to rectify behaviors. High mindedness and heavy handidness by the University of Utah in punishing players, the athletic programs and Utah community are not acceptable behaviors from a university. Following NCAA procedures, individual player problems can be resolved.
For a university to exercise "political correctness" and "Big Brother" tactics, in this situation, is unwarranted and troubling. I am concerned and fearful of what future tactics the university may take against anyone; student, faculty, player or visitor, who may stumble into excessive exercise of "political correctness" regarding the university.
I hope future difficult events may be resolved in more appropriate and mutually agreeable methods than to "take your basketball and go home." Temper tantrums by a university are very distasteful. Rather than using the scapegoat of "I support the decision," President Pershing should be a true leader and fix the problem at the lowest level. Please do not make it worse by continuing the temper tantrum.
Ted Witte
Layton, Utah