University of Virginia Library

Reactions Vary Over
Blackburn's Firing

By Bill Nachman
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

When the gathering storm of the
past few days finally broke over
ex-Virginia football Coach George
Blackburn it caught more than a
few members of the University
community relatively unaware. For
all those who didn't watch last
night's now-famous edition of the
"5:30 news" a little time has been
necessary for proper evaluation of
Messrs. Sebo and Corrigan's
personnel readjustment.

In an attempt to provide a broad
scope of opinions from coaches,
students, and members of other
college staffs throughout the state,
The Cavalier Daily kept its lines
buzzing all afternoon.

Coach Ron Good, head of the
swimming program here at the
University, was the first person
interviewed. He thought it was just
"one of those things. Something

had to be done in regard to the
incident. Unfortunately for Mr.
Blackburn there was much
misunderstanding surrounding the
entire affair."

First-year basketball mentor
Dick DiBiaso wanted to make no
guesses about the clouded
circumstances of Mr. Blackburn's
dismissal. "Coach Blackburn is
most enjoyable to work with. He's
a fine man, and I wouldn't hesitate
to let my son play for him."

Wishing to remain silent was
wrestling coach George Edwards. "I
don't feel that it's right to make a
statement when another member of
our athletic staff is concerned," he
said.

Most students questioned were
decidedly for the ouster. One
first-year student, Jill McNish,
thought the affair was "shoddy,"
and she did not like "the manner in
which the announcement was
made."

Henry Tucker and his roommate
Donald Connors, both second year
students in the College, were "quiet
pleased" over the releasing of Mr.
Blackburn. Jim Basl, fourth
yearman in the College, felt that
Tuesday's action was the "greatest
thing that ever happened to
Virginia in the four years that I've
been here."

Several girls from Watson were
contacted, and the fourth floor was
very cager to comment on the
booting. "I hope the new coach will
be better," said one student, while
another would only say over and
over that she was "happy."

University of Richmond's Walter
Drewry, the school's sports
information director, was very
"hesitant to release a statement. It
was truly none of our business."
These sentiments were seconded by
Hugh Stevens, athletic director at
Randolph-Macon in Ashland. "I
would like to add that Mr.
Blackburn was a fine man...a
number one fellow ...and that we
need more coaches like him."

Stokeley Fulton, head football
coach at Hampden-Sydney College
in Farmville, knew only "what was
in the paper. I am really not
familiar with the situation behind
the Virginia move," he said. He
continued by defending Mr.
Blackburn, "Any arrangement
between coaches and officials
should protect the coach."