Dave writes: When Coach Larry Krystkowiak cancelled the basketball series with BYU he had no idea the hornets nest that would follow. Since that day, BYU fans have been extremely bitter. So bitter, they called on their fellow BYU fans and cougar club brethren who serve in the Utah State Legislature. These BYU loyalists masquerading as Elected officials have officially opened a witch hunt in the form of a legislative investigation of the Utah Utes athletic program. Many say the BYU loyalists are looking for misuse of public funds in the athletic department. This would allow the legislature to force the university to fire Dr Chris Hill A.D., Coach Whittingham football, and Coach K basketball. All three of these Ute greats are thorns in BYUs side. Although the legislature cannot fire anyone, they do control the entire budget at the State owned University. Cougar loyalists are ready to cut the University of Utah’s budget if they find any kind of impropriety. The only way they will not cut the budget is if the mentioned employees resign.
My question for the mailbag is…….Do you think this is petty?
Ted Miller: We can take a basketball question, right, one that tangentially involves football? Ruling? OK.
This, of course, is complete political grandstanding and a waste of time, which is what politicians do when they don’t have the will or courage to focus on things that actually matter. It’s also interesting that there doesn’t seem to be much mea culpa from BYU folks over the egregious behavior that got Krystkowiak so twisted: BYU’s Nick Emery punched Utah’s Brandon Taylor during a game and then followed his cheap shot with taunts — before and after a time out.
There are no “Yeah, but…” retorts available. Google the video.
However, auditing a state institution doesn’t seem like a bad thing to me, if it’s done fairly and objectively. From the Salt Lake Tribune:
“Our role is not to be concerned about why an audit is coming in, just to provide the information,” said Utah Athletic Director Chris Hill. “When recommendations are made, it’s our job to get better.”
Hill says his department must be a round-the-clock “good representative of the university,” and is committed to transparency.
What Hill is saying is nothing will come from this bit of political theater.
I would suggest Utah fans show some compassion for BYU fans. It’s a tough time for them.
ESPN – PAC-12 Blog
I love Ted Miller for that last line.
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