To the Editor:
I understand the decision to not continue with Tim O’Toole, but I’m disappointed. Do I want my alma mater to win? Yes. Is it the most important consideration? I don’t think so. I like the idea of having a classy alum, who cares about the university, who cares about his players and who conducts his program with integrity.
Certainly, one must consider that the coach at Fairfield functions with something of a disadvantage – if a top player is going to look at Connecticut, he’s going to choose to play in the UCONN spotlight and not in Bridgeport.
I don’t want to relax standards in order to get a better basketball team. I want to improve through a consistent effort to build a program of athletic and academic integrity. I had faith in Tim O’Toole’s effort to do that.
I was a student when Tim came back to play as a graduate student after losing his senior year to injury, and his tenacity and hustle embodied the kind of attitude our program needs. I thank him for his commitment and contributions to our alma mater, and I wish him well. I’m sorry to see him go. Good luck, Tim.
Sincerely,
Bill Siedler ’89
Leave a Reply