Why Believe What They Say?

Lying has, sadly, become a part of our everyday language. Nearly anything someone says has to be examined, and the listener has to wonder if the speaker is really telling the truth.

One area in which this is seen all too often is in sports. College coaches tell their recruits and current players they’ll be around for a long time–usually as long as that recruit is going to be at the school–and then, in a few months, the coach bolts for more money or a more “high-profile” job.

This week it has happened again. Tubby Smith left the University of Kentucky to go to the University of Minnesota. As one who likes UK, and has family members who love Wildcat basketball, this is not an article attacking Coach Smith. While he may not have had the record fans wanted, he did a lot of good for the school.

Sadly, though, just a few hours after losing to Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, Tubby Smith told reporters he wanted to stay in Lexington. Four days later, he was gone. Just last week, the athletic director of UK said, “Tubby’s our coach.” One wonders if, a week later, that same AD told Tubby to move on to avoid the embarrassment of being fired.

Some have said that the nature of coaching today almost forces these men and women to lie. If that is the case, then we need to change the “nature of coaching!” There should be nothing that forces someone to lie. Tubby Smith may have been telling the truth on Sunday night, and then the circumstances changed. I doubt it, though. He knew all too well that he was in very hot water. It’s hard for me to believe that he honestly thought he would be around Lexington for a long time and then, four days later, all that changed.

Coaches, these young men and women deserve the truth. If you are thinking of moving, they need to know! NCAA, the rules need to be changed. Tubby will coach next season at UM, but, if one of his players decides to transfer so he can continue to play for Coach Smith, the player will have to sit out a year. Fair? Totally unfair.

But, far more importantly, we all need to learn to tell the truth no matter what. Can you imagine what would happen if one of these coaches actually said he/she was thinking of leavi….

….it has happened! Ernie Kent, coach of the Oregon Ducks men’s team, told reporters that he was interested in the open job at Michigan. He was crushed in the media. Why? The man told the truth!!! While, in the minds of many, it might have not been the best move from a basketball standpoint, it was the truth. I’m thankful someone was willing to say something like that.

Student Swearing Week

As much as I like sports, I like college basketball even more. It is, without question, my favorite. I’m one of those nuts who follows every school in NCAA Division I as much as possible. I love watching everyone you’ve heard of (like the Duke Blue Devils or the UCLA Bruins) and those you probably haven’t (like the North Florida Osprey).

One of the things that makes college basketball so special is the atmosphere. Those great “gyms” that are filled to capacity with fans make the perfect setting to watch a game. And the schools where the student sections are right by the court have gotten it right. There is nothing like watching a game played at Duke (Cameron Indoor Stadium, home of the Cameron Crazies), Illinois (Assembly Hall, home of the Orange Crush) or Pittsburg (home of the Oakland Zoo). (Michigan State’s “Izzone” is pictured.)

This week, ESPN is having “Student Spirit Week” as part of its college basketball coverage. The idea is to show the game, but also devote part of the time to the students seated near the court. Interviews are a part, but the main feature is that, somehow, they are having more sound from the crowd. (I tried to look it up, but I don’t know if they are having extra microphones, or just leaving their usual mics open.)

Sadly, this has caused much to be put “on the air” that would not be allowed from any other part of the game. “Live” sporting events are actaully tape-delayed, but only for a few seconds (usually, less than 10). This short delay gives the producers a chance to hear the audio and remove offensive language. If a player is called for a foul, for example, and blurts out a curse word, the producers have time to remove that split second from the audio before sending it out to your television.

Question: why don’t they do the same when it is the fans swearing? I have watched parts of 4 of the games thus far, and have been totally embarrassed by what I was hearing. I’m not even talking about one or two fans yelling something at a player or official. I’m talking about entire student sections chanting curse words and phrases. Why aren’t these removed from the audio? It has completely ruined wonderful games (including a triple-overtime classic late last night between Texas and Oklahoma State held at Gallagher-Iba Arena).

Many people struggle with profanity. Sadly, many Christians do, too. Many are fine with their speech until they come to an athletic contest or similar endeavor. I hope none of those students I’ve been hearing this week are Christians!

Paul urged the young preacher Timothy, “[Avoid] the profane…babblings…of what is falsly called knowledge” (First Timothy 6:20, NKJV). There was no time or place restriction on that command. We need to guard our tongues at all times, even in the “heat of battle.”

ESPN, please cut the audio! I want to enjoy the games again.