University of Virginia Library

106 Athletes Support
Gibson, Condemn CD

We the undersigned, being athletes at the University
actively concerned with its present activities and future
direction, wish our sentiments to be known to the public. In
view of the recent controversy concerning Coach Gibson we
feel that it is our duty to express publicly our support of the
Athletic Department, Coach Gibson and our respect for his
authority as a coach. In so doing we have to condemn the
actions and methods employed by a few fellow athletes as
being irrational, irresponsible, and detrimental, not only to the
image of the University athlete, but also to the image of the
University. To be a true athlete one must have the desire to
win, be willing to "pay the price" and foremost of all, respect
the authority of the coach. If any of these factors are lacking
in an individual the result can only be chaos and dissension
among the team. Unfortunately, in the case of Coach Gibson
the players who were at fault attempted to shift the blame for
their personal inadequacies and immaturities onto the shoulders
of their coach.

Since we have taken this stand, we feel it necessary to
denounce the writings of "our" sports editors, Bob Cullen and
Ted McKean. It is obvious to us that these writers are biased,
incompetent and tend to base their supposed factual articles
on hearsay and grumblings heard in the closets of fraternity
houses. In no way and at no time have they represented the
majority opinion but have bent the press to accommodate the
minority malcontents. Their actions have in no way led to an
increase in school spirit or team cohesiveness but have only
served to hinder the athletes who love the game and want to
win.

Chuck Hammer, Scott McCandlish, Boyd Page,
Dave Wyncoop, Jerry Taylor,
Gilbert Smith, David DeBra,
Chip Miller, Frank DeWitt, Al
Ferrara, Jim Potter, Rick Moschel,
J.E. Ferens, Jim Willits,
Andy Selfridge, Rich Walker,
Bob Burkley, Bill Lockwood,
Paul Schrecker, Bob Bischoff,
Ric McFarland, William J. Kettunen,
Robert J. Bressan, Gene
Arnette, Greg Shelly, Rick Constantine,
John Blackburn, Dan
Ryczek, Jim Blackburn, Jim
Lacey, Joe Smith, Henry Costas,
Paul Reid, Tom Blackburn,
Andy Minton, Jeff Hollister,
Tom Patton, Samuel Rhodes,
James Shannon, Tommy Vias,
Larry Albert, Frank Quayle,
Greg Dickerhoof, Clinch Heyward,
David S. Gruber, Brad
Jordan, Greg Miller, Bill Gardner,
Gary Helman, Danny Fassio,
James Doubet, Abby Sallenger,
Ronald Similo, William H.
Richards, Robert Kassonik,
Mike Sutt, Rob Gustafson,
Lynn Martin, Bill Davis, Mike
Silvester, Tom Kennedy, Dave
Sullivan, Bob Rannigan, Bob
McGrail, Dave Turner, Al
Kavasch, Jim Eustace, Kent
Weatherly, Allan T. Hirsch,
Peter J. Kirk, Charles Edwards,
Doug Hilbert, Robert Proutt,
Thomas D. Jenkins, Kenneth
Silverman, Douglas Tarring,
Andrew Archibald, George Turner,
Jay Connor, Jim Carrington,
Thomas Schildwachter,
Percy Montague, Paul Raskopf,
Stewart Webb, Robert Friedland,
Peter Eldredge, D. Fitzpatrick,
David Carter,
Charles Rullman, Bob Micckid,
Curtis Wyckoff, Dennis Pushkin,
William Cooper, Rick Parker,
David Counts, Richard Smith,
Dana Lynch, Tad Joerdens,
Tom Moore, Bob Paczkoskie,
Bill Stone, Sandy Kreps, W.R.
Railey, Steve Gardner, Grayson
Fitzhugh, and Mike Jadkins.