I was born in Eugene, and I graduated from the University of Oregon. I follow developments at my alma mater with great interest.
Ever since Oregon went to the Rose Bowl in 1995, the University has moved ever closer to private ownership, cloaked in the garb of Nike contributions and its CEO Phil Knight. Our library was renamed. The law students now attend “Knight” school. We are a national laughingstock because of the absurd costumes we force our athletic representatives to wear. What was once a great public institution now is a marketing tool of a fellow who made his fortune on the backs of underpaid Asian labor.
We are now told that a “comprehensive search” for a new athletic director occurred. Every nook and cranny was investigated. No stone was left unturned. At the end of the day, by an amazing coincidence, a fellow without a college degree, no experience in athletic administration, and who personally sponsored the ousting of Bill Moos, just happens to be the very best our great University could find. Pat Kilkenny’s main qualification seems to be that he is a good friend of our main booster.
The new Athletic Director gushes about his great skill in firing people. This should not come as good news at a university where there exists a culture of tenured professors; long time, loyal employees; and continuity in head coaching positions, which is a hallmark of our school. Ernie Kent earned his degree at Oregon. Coach Kent and his family have become a fixture in our community. For 10 years Ernie Kent has built the credibility of our basketball program.
Unfortunately, the best friend of the new Athletic Director also happens to be a very good basketball coach. The mere existence of Kilkenny now makes Coach Kent’s status uncertain, and for no legitimate reason. At a time when we should all be allowed to enjoy the success of a highly entertaining season of college hoops, there exists an ugly undercurrent concerning the future of Ernie Kent. This is not how things should be.
It is sometimes said that athletics is the front porch of a university. I am embarrassed that the reputation of our entire school has been damaged by failing to control the inappropriate influence of one very important athletic booster. Everybody knows that Dave Frohnmayer is in his last days as president of the University. Can anybody tell me who Phil Knight will appoint as his replacement?
At some point, the University needs to assert leadership with the courage to “Just Say No” to the Nike forces which presently control policy making at the University of Oregon. I, for one, hope that Professor David Frank, dean of the Honors College and director of forensics, gets a long, hard look as the next president of the University of Oregon. Professor Frank has a good heart, a balanced view of the role that athletics should play at a major university, and the balls to tell Phil Knight just where he can go. To the search committee which will be formed to find President Frohnmayer’s replacement, I say “Just Do It.”
Richard Maloney is a UO alumnus