Kentucky Wildcat Basketball: Is it me or is "Joe B Hall-gate" getting tiresome?
By Paul Jordan
As we end Day number three of the “Joe B Hall-gate”, the NCAA finally speaks out and this is just turning into a huge mess of pointed fingers and a lot of “he said/they said”.
When we left things, apparently the NCAA had denied 82 year old former Wildcat coach Joe B Hall from coaching the “UK Legends” game and put the BBN into a literal uproar. Everyone on the Kentucky side bashed this decision in the press and blogs and it even caught the eye of Dick Vitale nationally, who also blasted the decision.
So then it was announced that Joe B Hall would be taken from an “honorary” coaching position and put on the staff of John Calipari’s paid Dominican Republic staff so he could participate in the event. Then news leaked out that Joe B Hall would probably coach the Dominican eam after all. And now, the NCAA is speaking out about the situation and they released this statement:
Public speculation, fueled by inaccurate media reporting, incorrectly assumed the NCAA denied former Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall the opportunity to coach in an exhibition game against the Dominican Republic. In reality, the University of Kentucky withdrew its involvement and association with this event due to a conflict with member mandated NCAA bylaws. These bylaws prohibit member schools from participating in events that pay former players and raise funds to benefit teams that include prospective student-athletes.
So apparently, Kentucky is the one that pulled Joe B Hall from the event, in accordance with what they perceived as the NCAA rules. I’m not saying that the rule is not stupid, it is. But to be honest, I am of the belief that the less Kentucky butts heads with the NCAA, the better. Folks like John Clay are wondering why Kentucky kept quiet for two days and let the NCAA be perceived as the bad guy in all of this and it is a valid question.
As an avid blogger, I have the hugest mancrush on John Calipari. I was skeptical of him when he came to UK, but he was won me over and made me giddy quicker than Justin Bieber melts the heart of a 12 year old. I have drank the “Cal-aid” and will fight for the guy until the bitter end, but in retrospect, this all seems kind of tiresome right now.
Enough of the battling through the press and media on this. Let’s find out what the exact NCAA rules are and end the drama. I agree, I want Joe B Hall to have his night, but we could easily plan an appearance for him at Midnight Madness or at halftime of a game this year.
We have the best tradition in college basketball, and we need a dozen nights to honor it. But let’s end the drama, do it right, and save our battles with the NCAA for when it really may be needed.
Trust me, the NCAA is going to do something stupid real soon that pisses us off again. It’s a terrible, poorly managed organization. Let’s save our energy and battle when it’s really needed and I’m calling for a Joe B Hall night at Rupp Arena this season.
Maybe at halftime of the North Carolina or Louisville game?
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