I strongly reject Rick Morrissey’s Feb. 28 column that says AD Bill Bradshaw is “the ringleader of DePaul’s debacle.” DePaul has suffered two disappointing seasons, and there are probably multiple reasons for it: the loss of their star talent to the NBA, Marcus Hatten abruptly selecting St John’s over DePaul, academic requirements that are tougher than the NCAA’s and the strength of the competition.
Do those who kick the program hardest while it is down increase readership? Is Morrissey criticizing DePaul for recruiting Chicago-area talent despite academic deficiencies, something missing from the previous Meyer era? How many area Division I schools have been invited to the NCAA or NIT tournaments over the last five years? Isn’t DePaul the answer to that question? Loyola, Northwestern, UIC, Northern Illinois and Chicago State haven’t come close to being successful programs. Where are the front-page columns bashing their athletic directors?
Why do national sportscasters and national media praise Bradshaw? Why did the National Association of Athletic Directors elect Bradshaw their president this year? Why does the local media defame him and avoid giving him credit for the successful women’s basketball, volleyball and softball programs?
I suggest that Morrissey look in the mirror to find slippery and impetuous.
