I was listening to Richard Condon today and he went off on the fact that Bertman decided to attend the Softball game last night to see 1000 for Yvette as opposed to going to the baseball game against Rice. Basically he said that Softball is unimportant and an event like this which is to honor a former player and good person who died unexpectedly should have been high up on his priority list. I have to agree. Bertman should have atleast made an appearance. Then there was a little rant about how Bertman is becoming a prima donna and all that. Thoughts?
Hard to criticize Skip, but that's pretty lame on his part. Especially since Wally was one of 'his' guys.
I would say the fact that he was at a softball game, the lessor of the 2 sports and the one he is not legendary in completely disputes that. I bet those girls playinmg their hearst out don't think softball is unimportant.
Skip Bertman is the AD at LSU - that means he directs athletics. Is softball a recognized athletic team at LSU? That is his freaking job. He can't be in two places at the same time. Wally Pontiff was a great kid and his death was a tragedy, but he will be remembered always and memorialized every year. Skip will have lots of time to attend more things like that when he retires...
I don't think softball is unimportant. However, I think the Wally Pontiff Classic would have priority.
Bertman had to support a coach for a 1,000th win. How many coaches in anything win 1,000 games? When baseball was an unimportant sport 20 years ago the Chalmette mush-mouth was moaning over baseball getting any money. Bertman can become a prima donna. He won 5 baseball titles, was deeply involved in hiring the football coach that won LSU first title in eons, has applied his golden touch on just about every sport he touches. Skippy is the prime reason why LSU has finally become Louisian's team, not just south Louisiana's team.
I think Condon also argued that as the AD, after the first game ended at around 7, he should have made it down to the Pontiff classic, if only for a few innings to give some support to Pontiff's family. I think he had a valid point. As AD, he could have made the trip. Then again, I'd hate to see Skip waste alll that gas money though.
Maybe he had the runs - deal with it. I'm sure the Pontiff family is fine with the fact that he didn't make it. Anything to bitch about, huh...
You can only reach a landmark like 1000 once in your life, and few people do... The Pontiff Classic will come and go each year... The fact THAT people feel that softball is unimportant is all the more reason for Skip to be there... He is showing those girls that SOME people care. What they are doing will not go unnoticed by this AD. The Classic had 6400 people... while softball had 10% of that.... 639.... He made the right choice in my opinion...
