Educating Jimbo


Brian Covert

Jim Sweeney has a funny way of letting us get to know him.

I’m referring, of course, to the football coach at
California State University, Fresno, who recently let loose on freshman player Ramsey Bailey during live television. Bailey had apparently wandered out onto the Selland Arena basketball court during team introductions — much to Sweeney’s chagrin.

“Hit the road, jack,” Sweeney’s retort that elicited boos from the crowd of otherwise loyal Red Wavers, is likely to become to the CSUF athletic department what “I am not a crook” was to Richard Nixon: one of those timeless remarks that you just wish people would forget.

I didn’t actually see the episode happen; the extent of my knowledge about the event is from what I’ve heard through the media.

But maybe it’s just as well.

Sweeney says he’s sorry, that it was just was one of those things between a coach and his player. If that’s so, then maybe we don’t know the
real Jim Sweeney after all.

My first and only meeting with the football coach was years ago when I was a student journalist at CSUF. Ironically, I was working on an article about how local public figures view the press — whether or not they feel the media treats them fairly.

I talked to big cheeses in the CSUF athletic department: Sweeney, Boyd Grant, former CSUF football standout Henry Ellard (by that time with the L.A. Rams), and former AD Russ Sloan.

Like pre-programmed computers, they all had pretty much the same answers: Yes, a free press is necessary in today’s society, but the media tend to focus on the negative things when it comes to sports coverage.

No doubt Sweeney’s views are now, in his own mind, even more justified than before. Maybe in
his mind, but not in ours.

And Sweeney sure can’t say that the
Bulldogs are plagued by lackluster football coverage. Much to the contrary. But that’s a different subject altogether.

So, why all the media hype? First of all, Sweeney’s a public figure and as such should be held duly responsible for his actions.

“Sorry” is fine, but it doesn’t repair the damage done to freshman Bailey, as well as CSUF’s avid athletic supporters who sure surprised
me by booing their favorite coach.

Second, what it comes down to is that Sweeney should have known better. Plain and simple.

How this conflict is resolved remains to be seen. Sweeney shouldn’t expect to get off lightly, no matter what the outcome.

Yes indeed, you sure have a funny way of letting us get to know you, Jimbo.