Letter to Editor re: Krebs

[golfertk14]

Thanks DD, that's pretty interesting to know.

[Sussman]

I find it fairly amusing that this topic is still ongoing, despite the letter to the editor in question was printed back in September or October.

I know because I was the opinion editor that printed it.

I spoke to both Andy Jenkins (the swimmer) and Krebs about the letter in question. I corroborated the letter's facts, and both parties agreed that was happened was truthful. The part in question was the exact wordage Krebs used. Jenkins claimed Krebs called him an asshole, and Krebs did not recall using the word, but they both agreed the conversation was heated.

It was helpful to have an actual objective opinion on the situation since I had to handle the situation objectively. I am not certain who is to blame, because I don't know either person. Others wrote in saying that Jenkins was out of line in his approach and timing of his comments. Another swimmer (from the 60's or 70's) wrote in defending Jenkins, but we didn't print his letter since we wanted to close the lid on the subject.

When I spoke with Krebs he didn't seem to interested in the situation. I told him that we were running Jenkins' letter and I gave him the chance to respond back with another letter, and he said it was "water under the bridge."

I can see both sides. Krebs is doing his job. He is trying to get his football program national recognition by playing games at Ohio State and Oklahoma so that the college gets exposure, and indeed enrollment has gone up partially due to the success of the program. Naturally there are some drawbacks to that, and sometimes other programs have to fold. Swimming, a sport some students love, was taken away, and the bitterness is understandable.

Was it appropriate to say that the money cut by swimming funded the new scoreboard? Was it appropriate to question Krebs using athletic money to fly himself and his family out to Norman, Okla. for the BG-OU game (something cut out in Jenkins' letter for structural reasons)?

I don't have a clear-cut opinion on this case, but since I was an editor at the time (and still write for the BG News) I won't take sides. I've heard good and bad things said about Krebs and since I've had all of one professional phone call that lasted 5 minutes with him, I don't have much room to talk, just like when a reader speaks about me personally while only reading a few of my columns without ever meeting me or speaking to me.

I'm just amused this thread is still going on, but at the same time it validates all the work I put into running one measly letter.

[transfer2BGSU]

Was it appropriate to question Krebs using athletic money to fly himself and his family out to Norman, Okla. for the BG-OU game (something cut out in Jenkins' letter for structural reasons)?

Very good move on your part since Paul Krebs drove to Oklahoma (he does not like to fly).

[falconman]

Look all i'm saying is that he's the AD of the school, I think he'd be able to help me find somebody to talk to in Sports Management. Even if he didn't know anyone that's okay too, just don't pass me a men's basketball schedule and send me on my way.

Actrually as someone who is in the Master's Program for Sports Administration, I will tell you that the School Of Human Movement Sport and Leisure Studies is in the College of Education. The Athletic Department reports to Studen Affairs. The Athletic Department has very little to do with programming on the academic side of the University. There is even a bit of a disconnect between those in the Sports Management areas on campus and the Athletic Department.

Not to prolong the topic by anymeans, I was at the preview day this past December and was talking to the Dean of the Business Administration and he was saying that they are tryring to get the Sports Management program into the College of Business. I too was looking into majoring in Sports Management but I now believe I'll be majoring in Marketing with possibly a minor in Sports Management.