Former U of L Running Back Anthony Allen Still Making News
I had no idea that this topic would be so polarizing on the radio today.
If you missed it, an appeals committee at the University of Louisville upheld the decision by head football coach Steve Kragthorpe and athletic director Tom Jurich that part of Anthony Allen’s request to transfer from U of L includes the stipulation that Allen cannot transfer to Arkansas, new (and probably temporary) home of former U of L head man bobby Petrino.
I think this is absolutely absurd of the University of Louisville to do this. Allen isn’t happy at U of L. Let him go. But the Cardinal program is concerned that allowing Allen to follow Petrino to Arkansas will mean that other players will follow suit.
My only response to that is this: Why would you want players to play for you on Saturdays (or whatever day) that don’t want to really play at the University of Louisville?
And I understand Louisville’s side. I think it’s unfair to the student-athlete (isn’t that what it’s all about?), but I’ll digress.
What’s more disheartening is the fear that U of L shows by this decision. They’re saying that they are afraid that other kids are unhappy at U of L and would rather be with Petrino than with Kragthorpe. Public perception is U of L is scared that other players aren’t happy with their current head coach AND/OR the athletic administration themselves think that Petrino is just plain better than Kragthorpe. That’s a BAD message to send to the public–a message that some diehard Cards fans expressed today.
Again, I understand why Tom Jurich and Steve Kragthorpe are doing this. I just think it’s wrong. A lot of their motivation for making this decision against Allen is to screw over Petrino. I’m guessing it doesn’t hurt his feelings too much. And, on top of that, I think it sends the wrong messages about what U of L thinks of Kragthorpe, and what U of L thinks their football players think about Steve Kragthorpe, at least when it comes to comparing him to Petrino.
And this is all coming from a guy who has the utmost respect for Tom Jurich as an athletic director, businessman, and as a person.
I wish the best for Anthony, because in juvenile instances like this one, it IS about the STUDENT-ATHLETE.
--Big EZ