((HT: CBSSports))
FIU athletic director Pete Garcia lashed out against the matchup Tuesday, saying he felt the Golden Panthers were "bullied" by organizers of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament and that he expected Thomas' debut to be at Ohio State instead.
Garcia said the school is examining how to get out of the North Carolina matchup but told the Associated Press that FIU remains committed to playing in the tournament.
"Would they do what they're doing to us to Duke, or to North Carolina? No," Garcia said. "But they'll do it to FIU and any other school out there like FIU."
The Princeton, N.J.-based Gazelle Group, which operates the tournament, said Garcia signed a contract in November 2008 stipulating the Golden Panthers would play Ohio State or North Carolina sometime between Nov. 9-13. Garcia acknowledged signing that deal.
He said "it's a matter of principle and a matter of the contract" why FIU won't agree to playing North Carolina instead.
"We're being bullied into that game," Garcia said. "I've told them today, we'll play Ohio State, we don't want to play North Carolina."
Tournament organizers say FIU might not have a choice.
Gazelle Group president Rick Giles said the contract language allows for his organization "to have the sole authority" over sites, dates, times, teams and opponents in the tournament. The event even made some concessions to FIU regarding scheduling of sub-regional games in Miami, so that they wouldn't conflict with a Golden Panthers football game at Florida.
"I'm befuddled by all of this," Giles said.
Garcia later added: "We don't want to be pushed around."
Dude, you already are- by Isiah Thompson ((pictured, thanks Al Diaz/Miami Herald)) himself...and all that does is give us the chance to show you this piece of video again from the day of his FIU coronation
The grilling by the four-letter's Chris McKendry and Andy Katz...
((HT: ESPN))
No comments:
Post a Comment