[NU Sports] Re: Answer To Your Question

[John Labbe]

Read that again in context and you'll see that it's clear that the  
"guys out there" that he's referring to are other coaches.  He's saying  
that he's NOT one of those coaches who is constantly trying to find a  
better job.  Several things prove this to be the correct  
interpretation:

1) He refers to the other guys' "agents working it."  That would be the  
other coaches' agents.
2) The "but" in the sentence contrasts the guys who are working it with  
suitors calling.  Hence, the suitors are NOT the guys who are working  
it.  It's other coaches who are working it.
3) He says "I'm not calling anybody," which is a contrast to the prior  
phrase where he refers to guys out there working it.  He says he's NOT  
one of those guys.  That is, he's NOT one of those other coaches.  We  
know he's not a suitor, so there would be no need to contrast himself  
with the guys who are working it if the guys who are working it were  
suitors.
4) He says that "suitors are going to call me," not that any suitors  
have in fact called.  And this is only in contrast to the suggestion  
that he might be working it, which he says he's not.
5) All the other quotes, the title of the article, and text of the  
article are contrary to your interpretation.

I'm surprised no one else has chimed in on this.  Here's the link  
again, if anyone else has any further thoughts.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/cs 
-041123nu,1,1892420.story?coll=cs-college-headlines


On Nov 29, 2004, at 9:05 PM, BSchooler at aol.com wrote:

> You asked:
>
>  <<How can you possibly construe this as you do?  It looks like Walker  
> was just asked a few questions at a press conference and he gave some  
> answers that suggest the opposite of what you indicate he said.  What  
> quote of his is a "fabrication?">>
>
>  Here's your answer:
>
>  <<"There are guys out there on the phones, working it, got their  
> agents working it, but [suitors] are going to call me; I'm not calling  
> anybody," Walker said. "That's just how I operate. I'm real happy  
> here, this is a great institution and they have treated me very well.  
> The leadership here I feel very strongly about.">>
>
>  I believe this is a fabrication. I don't think anyone has called  
> Walker. This is the second time Walker has pulled this stunt. You  
> don't say something like this to a reporter from the Chicago Tribune  
> without ulterior motives. Walker wanted a contract extension. This is  
> how he negotiates. If I were Mark Murphy, I'd fire him and wish him  
> "good luck" with all those "guys out there on the phones" who are  
> "working it".
>
>  I let Mark Murphy know how I feel about Randy Walker over a year ago.  
> I should have left it at that.
>
>  Bob Schooler
>