VANDALS: Champs where it counts

I agree with J.C. Chud (Vandal: Director has a losing record) that Mr. Spear is responsible and accountable for the success of the University of Idaho athletic program. However, I believe that his performance should be evaluated not just on the results of football and men’s basketball, but rather on the entirety of the program.

The University of Idaho recently won the WAC Commissioner Cup reflecting the overall success of the athletic program (football not included in the measurement). Mr. Spear has stabilized the program by joining the Big Sky and Sun Belt conferences and has started upgrading the facilities.

I was very upset that the Idaho football program did not achieve the education standards to remain eligible for bowl games. In my view nothing is more important than student athletes getting their education. Mr. Spear hired Coach Petrino who is a hard-nosed coach. He expects excellence in the classroom and on the field. While football did not achieve the educational standards we expect, we should not forget that Idaho’s other sports had many examples of academic success.

Based on a holistic view, I believe Mr. Spear deserves more time to bring the football and men’s basketball program to the same standard the other sports have achieved.

DAVID LEVINE

Coeur d’Alene