The Vandals could use some good news

They say any publicity — good news or bad — is good publicity.

But with what’s been going on at the University of Idaho these days, I’m not so sure.

In recent weeks, the Idaho athletic director has come under fire over concerns he mishandled reports of sexual assault of Vandal female athletes by an Idaho football player some five years ago.

And now there’s talk the Vandals may have to drop women’s soccer, among other sports, due to budget reasons.

So now, not only is Idaho’s football program dropping down a classification — much to the chagrin of some — a few Vandal teams might be cut.

THIS NEWS comes as a pair of former Vandal football greats are preparing to be inducted into the Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame this weekend in Coeur d’Alene.

Linebacker Sam Merriman played in Moscow from 1979-82. As a senior, playing for first-year Idaho coach Dennis Erickson, Merriman helped the Vandals reach the second round of the I-AA playoffs, and he remains the program’s all-time leader in tackles. He played five seasons for the Seattle Seahawks, mostly on special teams.

Sherriden May played running back at Idaho during 1991-94 and is the school’s second all-time leading rusher. Playing his entire Vandal career for head coach John L. Smith, May helped Idaho reach the I-AA playoffs each of his last three seasons, the Vandals getting as far as the semifinals in 1993, his junior season. He lasted a couple of seasons with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.

Merriman and May played during the heyday of Idaho football. From 1982-95, the Vandals won five Big Sky Conference titles, and qualified for the I-AA playoffs 11 times in those 14 seasons.

(Funny, thinking back on Merriman and May, you can’t help but envision the late, great Bob Curtis calling their great plays on the Vandal radio network).

MERRIMAN AND May — along with a couple former Silver Valley high school stars from the 1960s, Denny Almquist and John Shelt — will be feted twice.

Once, on Friday night at a gathering mostly for friends and family at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn, where the four hall of famers will speak, and the spotlight will be solely on them.

Then, they’ll be recognized Saturday night at the 56th North Idaho Sports Banquet, also at the Cd’A Inn, as will North Idaho’s top high school and college athletes and coaches from the past year.

The feel-good weekend has always been a reunion of sorts for Vandals, past and not-so-past.

It’ll also be a time of much-needed good memories for the Vandal faithful.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.