Blaming the Messenger
University of Montana Football Coach Under Fire
The UM student newspaper uncovers the latest incident involving violent off-the-field behavior by football players - and gets some verbal abuse in return.By Jonathan Weber , 9-18-09
University of Montana football coach Bobby Hauck. Photo by Tim Kupsick, Montana Kaimin archive.
The University of Montana student newspaper, the Montana Kaimin, on Friday reported that two football players were involved in an assault on another student last March, and that Coach Bobby Hauck swept the incident under the rug. The alleged assault is the latest in a long series of incidents involving violent off-the-field behavior by members of the UM football team.
The Kaimin also reported that when a reporter asked for comment about the incident, Hauck said: “You’re done for the day, and you’ll be done for the season if you keep bugging me about this thing that I’ve answered four fucking times.” The two players allegedly knocked a student unconscious and kicked him in the face following an altercation at a party; they were held out of one game this season, but otherwise apparently faced no sanctions.
In a furious editorial, Kaimin sports editor Roman Stubbs called the allegations involving the two players “disturbing, sickening, alarming,” and denounced Hauck for building a “wall of silence” around the incident and refusing to take responsibility or hold anyone accountable. “A college football coach should never be blamed for isolated incidents,” Stubbs wrote. “But when accusations form a pattern, then not only do the upstanding Griz players become stigmatized, but so does this school, this city and this state. It becomes embarassing. And it falls on the commander in chief.”
UM football spokesman Dave Guffey said in an email to NewWest.Net: “We have no comment on this matter.”
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"I think we all realize, as public officials, we need to be more respectful and civil in our conversations with the media, or for that matter, anybody else."
Seems the cone of silence still holds with the Athletic Department, as Athletic Director, Jim O'Day couldn't be reached for comment on Monday.
http://www.montanakaimin.com/index.php/news/news_article/foley_um_knew_about_incident_involving_griz_players/3965
As per another matter, Mr. Alger and I had a good conversation today, and I respect his talents. He is a good, young writer. I was surprised, though, not to be contacted for comment prior to the article being published - and I asked for that courtesy in the future - which he agreed. Had that been the case, we probably could have provided more information. That being said, Missoulian reporter Bill Speltz did just that - and reported a very accurate article in Saturday's edition. I commend him for being such a professional... trying his best to report all sides of the story. Too often these days, we do not hear all sides of a story. That, and sensationalism, are what disturbs me most about today's media across the country - but it is what it is, and we need to adjust accordingly.
As regards to Bill Speltz's story, the issue I had with it was that it asserts, essentially without attribution, that Grady McCarthy didn't want to report the incident. Seems to me that Grady McCarthy - not his father and not UM officials - would be the appropriate source for such an assertion. It also characterizes the fight in a rather different way than the Kaimin, and fails to note that this is the latest in a string of incidents like this.
Further, there is still the issue of the way Coach Hauck handled the questions from Tyson Alger. That kind of language and disposition should be unacceptable for any UM official, and I think Coach Hauck owes Alger and the Kaimin an apology.
I don't necessarily agree with the theories that this has gone on forever at UM. When my nephews/relatives have played for UM football in years past under Coaches Glenn/Read they recruited quality players/students. This is a throwback to the days of Coach Swarthout when I was a student... some good local students/players and a few louts from near/far that soil the program. That needs to change. Coach Tinkle and others are great leaders and role models. Hopefully, Coach Glenn is available if the Administration decides to replace Bobby. I feel sorry for him - he obviously doesn't get it. Much like the program including the head coach he worked under didn't get it while employed at the University of Washington. UM is more about one man..it deserves better.