UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 01
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Saban: Burned or bigot?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Did you guys happen to catch what new Alabama coach Nick Saban said in his “off the record” comments to Miami reporters on Jan. 4? They just recently came to light after a Miami reporter’s tape recording of it ended up being broadcast on a radio station and it’s now circulating on the Internet.
I’m not going to repeat the racial slur here so you’ll just have to find a recording yourself but, suffice it to say, it was offensive to some people.
There are a number of issues here, the first and foremost being Saban’s personal moral compass. Whether he meant for it to be public or not, it could be perceived as a glimpse into his beliefs and attitudes and I wouldn’t imagine that sits well with recruits, players or administrators.
But another issue is the use of “off the record” by both the media and the people it covers. For some insight into the business, coaches and politicians and celebrities often say “off the record” when they don’t want to be quoted or paraphrased on something they’re about to say. As journalists, we’re not obligated to honor such a request but, in general, we do. If we didn’t, nobody would ever tell us anything. But it can depend on what’s being said.
The fact is, a reporter is a reporter and anything someone might say to a reporter or certainly a group of reporters should be considered on the record because the person that’s being interviewed is aware he or she is speaking to a member or members of the press.
Now I don’t know the inside story on how Saban’s comments ended up on the radio and spread across the Internet or how the newspaper the guy works for feels about it, but I’m guessing nobody’s real happy about it.
Saban issued a statement on Wednesday through Alabama:
“Those comments need to be placed in the proper context, so as to understand the meaning of what was said,” Saban said. “The words were used in paraphrasing a story told to me by a friend. I was simply using the same wording used by the person who told me the story.
“The term in question is not language that I use or condone, and I can understand how some would take offense. However, I think it must be noted that those comments were made ‘off the record’ and the words merely reflected an anecdote that was told to me using that language.”
What do you guys think? Does Saban deserve to be disciplined further (the University of Alabama said it will have no comment beyond Saban’s statement)? Do think the whole thing is being overblown?
What about the reporter? Was he wrong to go public after Saban said it was “off the record”?
Meanwhile, I just got back from my trip to Knoxville to cover the basketball Dogs at Tennessee. In case you missed it, Georgia lost 82-71. I have to admit I didn’t think this Georgia team was capable of playing that poorly.
It wasn’t so much that they didn’t shoot well (6 of 26 on 3s). Teams and individuals have off nights. That happens. It was, one, that they so often settled for 3-point shots and, two, that it was easily the worst effort I’ve seen them put forth this season.
Considering their situation and from where they’re coming the last couple of seasons, Georgia’s lack of effort was inexplicable. Anybody else come away feeling that way?
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