[Husker] Contrasts

[Steve Reichenbach]

>      Concerning the Sarah Pavan thing there are so many ways to look at 
> it.  Was it Pavan's fault for opening up to the media instead of keeping 
> it in house?  Were her teammates really that bad toward her and if so 
> why?  It can't be just totally jealousy.  Did Coach Cook overreact.  I 
> mean he has a four time All American (I think that number is right), the 
> most decorated woman athlete ever at NU,  the 2006-07 Collegiate Woman 
> of the Year, and is not allowed around the team because of something she 
> said.  Not because of something she did but because of what she said.  
> At least it would appear that way on the surface.  It appears a mess to me.

It is absurd to say she shouldn't be booted from practicing with the
team because it was only "what she said" and not "something she did".
It is obvious that saying things in an interview to the press is
"something she did" and the effects of those actions can be more
damaging to the team than a curfew violation or other types of
"something she did".

Holloway, who recently unexpectedly quit the team without completing
her eligibility leaving NU in a tough spot at setter, said the same
sort of nonsense: "I hope people will stop judging Sarah for telling
the truth and how she honestly feels."  Of course people can and should
be judged based on what they say, especially what they say about how
they feel about other people and events.  Such statements are a window
into one's character.

With respect to Cook's action, Pavan brought it on herself.  According
to news reports, Pavan was told she could return, but with conditions
that included an apology to teammates and Pavan declined.  In any case,
she has wouldn't play another match for NU regardless because she has
exhausted her eligibility.

Here is what a letter to the DN editor said today.  I think it
describes perfectly what happened.

"I fear the first article and the follow-up were examples of journalism
at its worst. An agenda was developed, and quotes were used to support
this agenda. The first article almost single-handedly did something no
one else has been able to do and that is shut down Sarah Pavan. This
article destroyed her relationship with her former teammates and
coaches and made it basically impossible for her to go back in the
gym with them. It has cast a shadow on her entire illustrious and
extraordinary career. It has damaged team chemistry and potentially
damaged future recruiting efforts. I know how badly my comment was
misused, so I am convinced much of what Sarah said was also slanted and
turned into something ugly by a reporter out for glory.

"It's a sad thing that the university school of journalism would allow
one reporter to so abuse power that so much has been destroyed. It is
sad that so many were so quick to believe it. It is sad one unchecked
reporter was making a reputation at the expense of a great program that
brilliantly promotes the University of Nebraska-Lincoln."

It seems as if either Pavan is as clueless about how the press works
as she seemed in the interview about other aspects of her participation
on the team, that she didn't care how her comments would be received,
or that she intended to cause a dust-up.  My guess, from reading the
article and other reports is that it's mostly the first and a little
of the second.


> 
>      Realizing that Jason Peter can go over the top at times contrast 
> that situation with what he said on The Spread yesterday.  Peter stated 
> he didn't care if anyone liked him on the team when he played at NU.  He 
> said he wasn't required to like anyone in return.  He said if you came 
> to play you were respected and required to work together to reach a 
> common goal but it was not required to be friends and be a close knit 
> family.  He made the example of Tommie Frazier.  He said Frazier was not 
> a real popular guy among the players.  But everyone knew his abilities, 
> knew his dedication, and knew where he could take the team and they 
> respected him for such.  But like him?  No.  Peter more was on Cook's 
> back end than anything.  He stated, "it is just unbelieve the type of 
> student Pavan was and the type of athlete she was and now she is 
> banished from any contact with the program".
> 
> 
> Bob Beach
> 
> 
>     
> 
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