Thursday, November 7, 1996
STUDENTS:
Mixed opinions
surround firing of Jim Harrick; fans concerned about seasonBy
John Kelly
Daily Bruin Contributor
"Pathetic."
"Stupid."
"Good riddance."
In the wake of the Bruin basketball national championship in
1995, Jim Harrick was celebrated for restoring UCLA’s tarnished
glory. Now, two years later, he has left the university amid a
cloud of allegations and controversy.
The students of UCLA, however, seem all too ready to dismiss
their former coach. His sudden firing has generated disbelief,
shock and anger among them.
"He’s stupid … It’s just dumb. He should have come clean,
instead of lying," senior math student Rob Lund said. "Jim Harrick
should get fired," said Michelle Garrida, a senior physical science
major said. "He has a flawed character," she said. "I wouldn’t play
for him," senior anthropology student Brian Tash said.
A few others, reflecting on the seemingly minor nature of the
offense, think that UCLA’s treatment of the coach is
unjustified.
"It seems too stiff," Tash said of the termination. Amador
Galvez, a junior political science student, said, "It’s
unfortunate, and I feel sorry for him." Willa Chen, a third-year
electrical engineering student, said "I think it is too severe.
Something should be done, but this is too much."
Melissa Mackin, a first-year undeclared student, summed up the
sentiments of several students. "That’s lame," was her
response.
Students expressed concern for the image of the university. "I
think that all sports at UCLA, whether football, basketball or any
other should be investigated," said Jay Lund, a senior history
major. "I think that this reflects poorly on the university. At
least, though, we know that our school has some integrity."
First and foremost on the minds of the campus community,
however, were the prospects for the Bruins in their new season.
"They’ve lost a proven leader, a man who has led them to victory
before," junior engineering student Toby Linnett said. "The team
has got to be in disarray after this," he said.
"I don’t understand why they decided to do it right now," said
John Sertich, a fifth-year history major.
Others disagreed, citing the experience of the team. "The team
will be OK. We have good players, excellent players, and we’ll get
a new coach," Garrida said.
"Harrick had a good record, but we’ll be fine without him," Tash
said.
Meanwhile, other students demonstrated the sort of loyalty that
Harrick’s victories have managed to evoke. After winning the NCAA
championship two years ago, many students embraced him. "Harrick
made us win," said Alissa Morris, a junior environmental studies
major.
"I’ll miss him," senior political science major Rachel Gerken
said. "I liked him."
Students made clear though, that they thought that Harrick would
face problems in the near future. "If you don’t play by the rules,
that’s what happens," Galvez said. "It’s the responsibility of the
coach to play by the rules,"
Jake Stewart, a first-year business economics student, said "His
career is over. Some school will probably want him, but, well, he’s
screwed," Garrida said.