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TechnographPress row wrong spot for AD Ron Guenther
Athletic Director's comments cause controversy; put Guenther in hot seat
By Lucas Deal
Posted: 3/26/07 Section: Columns
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion throughout the University of Illinois' Athletic Department on the actions of Illini Athletic Director Ron Guenther during Illinois' two-point loss to Virginia Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Guenther was seated on press row behind the Illinois bench and was seen repeatedly yelling and criticizing Illini head coach Bruce Weber and forwards Warren Carter and Brian Randle.
His actions were seen by several CBS cameras and media members who questioned Guenther's motives and seats near the bench. CBS Sportsline columnist Gregg Doyel, who was sitting next to Guenther, wrote after Illinois' loss that Guenther had behaved like a child who needed restraint.
He wrote that Guenther spent most of the game criticizing Weber's personnel moves and at one point was even heard to have called Carter an "idiot."
Guenther has since apologized to Weber and the Illini team, and the University recently announced that no action will be taken to punish Guenther. However, the public outcry created by Guenther's actions and Doyel's subsequent article have created quite a stir around the Illini program and their AD.
Those who back Guenther have seen his actions as foolish but overblown, while those who oppose the Illini AD can't wait to give him his walking papers. Both sides realize that Guenther's actions were a serious lapse in judgment, yet neither side has provided a genuine stance as to what Guenther did was so wrong.
People have been quick to criticize Guenther for being a fan, but is what he did really any different than what we do as fans when we're watching an Illini game?
As an Illini fan and someone who was also on press row the night of Guenther's meltdown, I'll admit what he did was wrong.
He never should have been seated on press row in the first place and if he was going to sit there, he should have had the presence of mind to keep his emotions in check.
Those of us on press row are expected to carry ourselves with professionalism and Guenther should have done the same.
Guenther was seated on press row behind the Illinois bench and was seen repeatedly yelling and criticizing Illini head coach Bruce Weber and forwards Warren Carter and Brian Randle.
His actions were seen by several CBS cameras and media members who questioned Guenther's motives and seats near the bench. CBS Sportsline columnist Gregg Doyel, who was sitting next to Guenther, wrote after Illinois' loss that Guenther had behaved like a child who needed restraint.
He wrote that Guenther spent most of the game criticizing Weber's personnel moves and at one point was even heard to have called Carter an "idiot."
Guenther has since apologized to Weber and the Illini team, and the University recently announced that no action will be taken to punish Guenther. However, the public outcry created by Guenther's actions and Doyel's subsequent article have created quite a stir around the Illini program and their AD.
Those who back Guenther have seen his actions as foolish but overblown, while those who oppose the Illini AD can't wait to give him his walking papers. Both sides realize that Guenther's actions were a serious lapse in judgment, yet neither side has provided a genuine stance as to what Guenther did was so wrong.
People have been quick to criticize Guenther for being a fan, but is what he did really any different than what we do as fans when we're watching an Illini game?
As an Illini fan and someone who was also on press row the night of Guenther's meltdown, I'll admit what he did was wrong.
He never should have been seated on press row in the first place and if he was going to sit there, he should have had the presence of mind to keep his emotions in check.
Those of us on press row are expected to carry ourselves with professionalism and Guenther should have done the same.
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