University of Virginia Library

From The Sidelines

Mr. Gibson:
The Last Word

By Hugh Antrim

WHAT WAS BILLED as "the true story of the basketball
controversy," turned out to be a vast disappointment. The
expected revelation concerning the early March player/coach
disputes was not forthcoming. Mr. Ryan stated at the outset of
the presentation, "Tonight's program will consist of an interview
with head basketball coach Bill Gibson and a commentary on the
basketball controversy presently raging on the grounds." Indeed,
it was instrumental that Mr. Gibson, himself, resolve the
controversy, but the subject was not brought up until the final
thirty seconds of the dialogue. The areas of recruiting and the
methods of that art were of interest, as was the rehash of the past
season, but such conversation holds not the key to the "true
story of the basketball controversy."

Pat Ryan delivered, at the conclusion of his interview, his
explanation and rationalization of the whole affair. His thoughts
were well-organized and his arguments were convincing, but for more than one reason, we just cant buy it.

MR. RYAN EMPHASIZED the loss of key performers due to
injury as an upsetting factor. A heavily bandaged Chip Case ran
circles around UNC in University Hall. Of course if Case, if Joyce,
if Gidding, if Reams had remained healthy it would have made an
infinite difference. Admittedly the less than .500 season was
directly related to the injuries, and we therefore don't blame Mr.
Gibson.

Mr. Ryan then introduced the co-captain election mystery as
the catalyst that sent the players into plot and general distrust
against their coach. The WTJU sports director stated, "What was
perhaps the root of the players' mistrust turned out to be a
counting mistake." This is a blatantly carefree and casual means
of dismissing perhaps the most serious charge against Mr. Gibson.
We would be hesitant to assert that the basketball players
themselves ascribed to the "counting mistake" theory.

THERE IS ONE ISSUE which continues to plague us. We had
hoped that when an athlete wore blue and orange, he was
representing the entire school in competition. Somehow we were
naive enough to assume that since an athlete performed in the
collective name of every individual in that school, then it was
very much the duty of the community to be concerned with the
welfare of the players who bore their colors. Realizing the
old fashion ring to that notion, allow a restatement of the
assumption. The basketball team represents and plays for the
community; is it not logical for that community, is it not the
right of that community to be concerned with the basketball
team? Why then should the Athletic Department be so unwilling
to explain and identify this controversy to the public. But one
only learns by false assumption.

For the last time we attempt to pick out the heart of the issue.
In six years at the job of coaching Cavalier basketball, Mr. Gibson
has yet to attain a winning season. He has been more unfortunate
than most in his profession, losing many players of high quality
to poor grades or poor health. We readily accept this explanation
for last season's low finish. Even so, anybody can realize that
losing coaches advertise losing products. But please note: this is
not the issue at stake. No matter a winner or a loser, to primary
responsibility of any coach in any sport is to achieve an
atmosphere of respect and trust in which to work with his
players. A coach owes his team no less.

THIS ATMOSPHERE IS LACKING at the University of
Virginia. We hasten to assert that the same trust and respect must
be extended also from the players to the coach. After listening
intently to an interview that we had hoped would enlighten the
charges earlier levied at Mr. Gibson, we were chagrined that no
clarification of the affair would be given and that the charges
issued to Mr. Gibson via a list of grievances would go unanswered.

There remains little more for th column to say with regard to
the now-dead controversy in University Hall. Pat Ryan began the
evening, "[Coach Gibson] is more concerned with unifying his
team and recruiting, than in justifying his every move to a
sensation seeking press." But our alarm is not focused upon Bill
Gibson. Our entreaties have been directed on behalf of the
present basketball players, and more importantly, on behalf of
the future of the basketball program at this institution. Nothing
more can, or will, be said.