The University of Oregon head coach and offensive coordinator are leaving for greener pastures after a brief tenure here in Eugene. There is no allegiance by coaches or players nowadays. It’s just modern day gladiators seeking ever more riches and fleeting fame from us gullible spectators. There is something in our species since ancient times that gravitates to such spectacle.
Something is amiss in our society where a sports coach earns several million dollars a year, many times that earned by senior professors or top university administrators. Isn’t there some reasonable way to balance the college playing field of wealth?
I suggest the NCAA impose restrictions for coaches to a compensation package more in line with academic professors and that contracts include a significant penalty for early departure. It is disgusting that Mario Cristobal isn’t even seeing the team through the end of this season. I guess his only allegiance is to the almighty dollar. By doing so he sets a poor example to the young men he has mentored.
Robert B. Thompson
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
Comments are closed.