Just read the David Walker interview... Keeping Leee and Rogers

[jazzpop]

Just read the David Walker interview in the Daily Ad. Have to say that it read like a set up where a questionaire was submitted in advance, filled out and returned. That's not an ac-cussation, just the way it struck me. The answers were a little too pat, even for questions that were certainly less than harsh. The one that stands out was Walker's comment that the athletic department couldn't afford to look at the situation as fans. Interesting statement since it's obvious that a lot of fans won't afford to look at it as fans either.

[Parrott]

I asked David the questions in person and he answered them. There was no time limit. He never rushed to say anything, instead taking his time to think before he spoke. I let him speak until he was done.

Typical Q&A. I've done plenty of them before.

igeaux.mobi

[NewsCopy]

 Once college basketball season ended for the men's and women's teams at UL on March 4, athletic director David Walker began an evaluation process.

The question: Would head men's basketball coach Robert Lee and head women's coach Errol Rogers be back next season?

After two weeks of meetings with both coaches, select players and assistants, Walker announced on March 20 via press release that Lee and Rogers would return for the 2009-10 season.

The rest of the story

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • March 29, 2009

[CajunNation]

I just read it also............

[BabbForHeisman]

_ The one that stands out was Walker's comment that the athletic department couldn't afford to look at the situation as fans.

On one side of the coin, I understand what he is saying. You can't let fans drive the decisions of the athletic department. Despite what they think, fans don't understand everything. And looking at it from that perspective, he's right.

However, this statement is much like a business saying that it can't afford to look at things from a customer's point of view. And that's terrible business practice. And that business practice, I'm afraid, will be obvious in the balance sheets of the athletic department this year.

[Cajunsmike]

On one side of the coin, I understand what he is saying. You can't let fans drive the decisions of the athletic department. Despite what they think, fans don't understand everything. And looking at it from that perspective, he's right.

However, this statement is much like a business saying that it can't afford to look at things from a customer's point of view. And that's terrible business practice. And that business practice, I'm afraid, will be obvious in the balance sheets of the athletic department this year.

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I was glad to see Josh ask David Walker tough questions regarding the monetary and racial aspects of the basketball coach decisions. How David Walker answered the questions is beyond his control. Personally, I thought there was too much about the APR in there. It got a little too technical for the average fan to keep interest. I do understand why it was a point of emphasis as this situation was the key reason for the decision. Personally, I would have preferred to hear more about the review of this past season's results on the court. While the fan reaction was part of the story, I was disappointed that the financial impact on the other sports was not addressed. That should have been a major focus as I firmly believe the potential lack of support for the RCAF as a result of this decision is much more than an idle threat.

Regarding the Coach Lee interview, it seems to me he had confidence he would keep his job. This may give credence to the theory that he was promised four years after deciding to emphasize high school kids after the 05-06 season.

[Cajunsmike]

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I was glad to see Josh ask David Walker tough questions regarding the monetary and racial aspects of the basketball coach decisions. How David Walker answered the questions is beyond his control. Personally, I thought there was too much about the APR in there. It got a little too technical for the average fan to keep interest. I do understand why it was a point of emphasis as this situation was the key reason for the decision. Personally, I would have preferred to hear more about the review of this past season's results on the court. While the fan reaction was part of the story, I was disappointed that the financial impact on the other sports was not addressed. That should have been a major focus as I firmly believe the potential lack of support for the RCAF as a result of this decision is much more than an idle threat.

Regarding the Coach Lee interview, it seems to me he had confidence he would keep his job. This may give credence to the theory that he was promised four years after deciding to emphasize high school kids after the 05-06 season.

One other point I neglected to make. I don't necessarily think the fans will come back even if the team does well at the beginning of the year. If they do, it won't be until the season is nearly over as there will be skepticism that they can keep it up due to the history of the past few seasons. Some Cajuns have long memories. I will go because I enjoy basketball, I have great seats, and I want to support the kids on the team. I know I am now in the minority

[BeauCajun]

I will go because I enjoy basketball, I have great seats, and I want to support the kids on the team. I know I am now in the minority _

I'll be there also Mike, because first of all, I am a Cajun fan and secondly because like you, I am a basketball fan. We should have no problems carrying on conversations across the dome.

[CajunFreak]

Crap in... Crap out!

[UL_Cajuns]

_ I asked David the questions in person and he answered them. There was no time limit. He never rushed to say anything, instead taking his time to think before he spoke. I let him speak until he was done.

Typical Q&A. I've done plenty of them before.

igeaux.mobi _

Parrott,
Although I don't agree w/ one of your previous articles I think it was titled "The right decision", and I was disappointed that you wrote it.
I do like these articles that you wrote for todays advertiser. You asked tough questions, and you stayed neutral and gave all sides to the story. Keep up the good work.

[Parrott]

Please remember that I didn't write the headline for that story.

I felt that the decision to bring back Lee was the best of the options given with APR issue. Not the best of solutions, but the best available in my mind. That was an opinion piece.

These were are all neutral stories. Glad you enjoyed them.

igeaux.mobi

[CajunNation]

Mr. Parrott,

Did you think to ask him just how much he was involved in the letting go of players a few years ago that put us in this mess in the first place?

I would not have left that office until I got an answer to that question.

If you did think about it, why didn't you ask him?