Letters: Wildcats fans weigh in on Book Richardson, ongoing basketball scandal

Wildcats fans quick to criticize, defend program in wake of Book Richardson's arrest

The FBI investigation into — and arrest of — Arizona Wildcats assistant basketball coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson has been the hottest topic among Tucson sports fans since Sept. 26. 

Here's a collection of the best letters, as submitted by our readers. Want to add to the conversation? Submit your letter here.

Letter: Re: the Nov. 7. article “FBI probe could leave Sean Miller, Arizona Wildcats waiting during early signing period”

I'm waiting for the coward Book Richardson, to admit Jahvon Quinerly and his family NEVER requested, were NEVER offered and most importantly NEVER RECEIVED money from Richardson. Hide in your living room and let the basketball community destroy this young man's character and reputation. Staying silent about Jahvon's innocence is something I can't understand and would never expect from a college coach or from anybody for that matter. Jahvon was offered over 20 full scholarships and was so proud and happy to get a college education from any of those schools and the bonus was he gets to play the sport that he loves and also gets to relieve the monetary pressure away from his parents. What a nightmare Jahvon is going through. Do the right thing Book

Robert Mollica

Ramsey, New Jersey

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Re: the Oct. 1. article “Steller: University of Arizona basketball scandal smashes Tucson's delusions”

Tim Steller gets high marks for his article of Oct. 1. Only trouble is, he doesn't seem to hold Sean Miller accountable for the behavior of his assistants', which the NCAA rule book requires. Miller approved all along what Richardson was doing recruiting. They go back many years together. Miller's an experience coach in complete control and manages every nook and cranny of the men's varsity basketball program. It's not surprising the president of the university and the D.A. support a university activity, ostensibly provided for the entertainment of the student body (sic), that brings in over $30,000,000 a year in revenue to the university (estimate from Sports Illustrated magazine). SEAN MILLER MUST BE FIRED. And the University of Arizona needs to get back to being an institution of higher learning and not a minor league for illiterate teenagers aspiring to the NBA.

Peter Andros

West side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Basketball scandal

As a native Tucsonan and a graduate of the University of Arizona, I support the Wildcats in all of their academic and athletic endeavors. The recent scandal surrounding the basketball team has for the first time made me uneasy to throw unbridled support for it this year. In Greg Hansen’s Sunday Notebook, he has placed the brown bag over his head with the eyeholes cut out.

But we in the Tucson, nee the U of A community, need to ask, “Where does the buck stop? A man is having his life turned upside down in Emanuel Richardson and the media would have you think that rankings and statistics are all that matter now. It is wishful thinking to think this recruiting scandal will go away. Tough questions must by asked by journalists -- if there are any left. Coach Sean Miller has been successful at Arizona for many years but at what cost?

This is going to be an unpleasant season.

Roberto Martinez

South side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Re: the Oct. 23. article “Book Richardson will appeal Arizona's decision to fire him, lawyer says”

It was a good thing to put him on leave WITH pay?? Well it should help the U of A who is not complicit in his law-breaking. This guy ( I refuse to say his name) s showing his true colors. What a jerk.

Ron Joyce

Northeast side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Could it be??

I’m totally in favor of throwing the book at “Book” Richardson and the other NCAA basketball cheats. But I find it amazing that the FBI could in a few months get all the information to arrest and basically convict the NCAA bad actors, and threaten “Book” with a 60 year prison term for taking a $20,000 bribe.

At the same time, the FBI and Dept. of Justice seem to have no inclination. interest or time to investigate the Clintons and all their crooked deals, selling 20% of our uranium resources to Russia, taking millions in donations and speaking fees, using a private email server, deleting thousands of government emails, and lying continually to Congress and the American people.

Could it be possible that the Clintons have dossiers on Jeff Sessions and other members of the DOJ and FBI?

Vernon Stedronsky

Northwest side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Credit union is jumping to conclusions

Hughes Federal Credit Union was quick to jump on the use of UA athletics and coach Sean Miller to promote their interests. They were even quicker to dump the U's athletic teams and Miller when their was a whiff of scandal in the air. This was no jump shot. This was a jump to conclusions. Wouldn't some facts be helpful before the rush to evade association with the university? Should the action of one or two employees eviscerate the value of the U of A? Will our Wilbur Wildcat debit cards be recalled? Some intestinal fortitude on Hughes' part — instead of their "pause" — would have significant meaning to their potential and existing customers.

Nancy and Tony Roubound

East side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Accountability at the university

Coach Sean Miller needs to go! When you are in charge you are responsible for everything that happens or doesn't happen. He failed big time.

Joe Lewis

East side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Who's paying?

It appears that this basketball investigation by the NCAA & FBI could be a long and costly situation. We have been told that the Athletic Dept. is basically financially independent and self-funding. If this is the case, will all the costs associated with this matter be paid by the athletic dept., or will the university assume the costs on the basis of "Maintaining its Reputation" thereby sticking the students and taxpayers with the bill?

Tom Vana

Marana

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Re: the Oct. 5. article “Arizona basketball contacted NCAA 'proactively' after notice of FBI investigation, AD Dave Heeke says”

For the UA, our head basketball coach in particular, to place limitations of questions (only "with respect to basketball") during this press conference, is truly outrageous. His belated and carefully crafted and parsed statement, obviously prepared by all sorts of lawyers and crisis managers, was a non denial of involvement if ever I've seen one.

The press corps should have pinned his ears back and insisted on pursuing this line of inquiry. If he continued to refuse to address the topic of the future of U of A basketball, if they had any integrity, they should have left the press conference.

Arthur Balbirer

Bethlehem, Conn.

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: UA responses are lame

The responses from UA Pres Robbins, Athletic Director Heeke, and Coach Sean Miller regarding the FBI investigations are transparent and pathetic. Robbins, new to UA and expected to justify his nearly $1 million annual salary, finally delivered a lame and gutless response. Hiring a batch of "independent" investigators is laughable....who's paying their retainers? This is the new leader of UofAZ?

Heeke is no less culpable...as a relatively new AD he seems to be relying on AZ fan infatuation with the bball program to overcome the obvious. He apparently has not held Sean Miller accountable for his leadership.

While Sean Miller can appeal to that infatuation with his statement, ultimately it's evident subterfuge. He failed to address the issue and promised that 'having a great team this year' is the only outcome that needs to be considered. And for many fans that's probably true.

Who needs ethics anyways?

Not our future leaders, I guess.

Scott Lukomski

Northeast side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Greg Hansen should be commended

Columnist Greg Hansen deserves a statue outside McKale, ASAP.

He seems to be the only reporter in Tucson concerned about the Facts in the FBI case. Coach Miller's avoidance of the Media for 9 days is extremely disturbing! What are you afraid of Coach? Reporters should camp-out at every McKale entrance until Coach Miller answers just one question: Did you have any knowledge of the bribes/ payments before the Night Book Richardson was arrested?? Yes or No.

Remember, two print reporters won the Pulitzer Prize in the early 1980's for exposing the Tony Mason fiasco. They were both rewarded with High Profile jobs in Miami & Dallas.

Hansen for President-2020.

Ronald Coombes

Downtown

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Talk about greatly exaggerated

Everyone in the sports world is aware of the University of Arizona basketball scandal. However, is featuring the jump for Tim Steller's column on the Wildcats — featuring coach Sean Miller's picture — next to the obituary page someone's idea of "humor"?

Raymond Behnke

SaddleBrooke

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Re: the Sept. 28. article “Sean Miller silent as questions mount about past, future of Arizona Wildcats basketball program”

Just a quick tidbit about our beloved coach in Tucson. I live 2 blocks from McKale and a die-hard fan. I walk through the beautiful UA mall with my kids frequently, and on occasion have tried to catch a glimpse of our team practicing. I have never been able to as team officials strictly monitor practices that are closed to anyone but the team. This means Miller and entire coaching staff had to be aware of that sports agent illegal presence at practices.

I, like many other fans, was excited about the new year. Now, I'm just disappointed that we'll be punished for the next few years. We're Arizona - we're established and don't have to pay kids to play here! The program and environment sell itself.

Thanks Book Richardson for tarnishing our image. BEAR DOWN all! Wildcat for life!

John Smith

West side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Sean Miller is above reproach

I have never met Sean Miller, do not know Sean Miller, but I do know this, he reveres the basketball dynasty Lute Olson built at the U of A and would never do anything to bring dishonor to the program. He moved his family, uprooted his children to come here to continue Lute Olson's legacy. I agree with Jay Bilas's tweet "I know Sean Miller to be a man of great honesty and integrity". Of course he is being silent. His first concern is to his student athletes and their well being. They are family. He is waiting for all the facts to be revealed. I'm sure he is heartbroken that a man he knew and trusted would besmirch the reputation of the U of A and the basketball program he helped to build, all for what, 20 pieces of silver. I hope it was worth it.

We stand with Coach Miller, the U of A, and all the fine athletes and coaches in our sports programs.

Maureen St. Pierre

Northwest side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Miller's innocent until proven guilty

Re: the Sept. 29 article "Miller silent while questions mount."

Reporter Bruce Pascoe should be ashamed of this type of cowardly article which condemns by innuendo. This is why the term "fake news" is becoming such a common term regarding modern journalism. The attorneys for the university and Coach Sean Miller's attorney would be derelict if they allowed him to make any public statements while Emanuel "Book" Richardson's case is under investigation.

Richardson has been declared guilty by numerous publications even though there is some doubt whether any criminal acts have been committed. Some legal scholars haver written that there is no federal law which has been breached. Coach Miller has been a credit to our community and should be allowed to be judged as innocent until proven guilty.

John Barkley

Foothills

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Coaches are not paid with tax dollars

Re: the Sept. 29 letter to the editor "Ultimate responsibility lies with Sean Miller."

The letter writer said, "All college coaches are overpaid with our tax dollars." As a former college business administrator, I know that this is not true. Athletics are funded primarily through a separate "enterprise fund" that comes mostly from ticket sales, sponsor contracts, advertising, etc. — NOT tax dollars. How can the Star promulgate such blatant fake news by printing it in the paper? As publishers you need to fact check all letters or you become just another source of fake news.

Dean Pielstick

Midtown

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: When will Sean Miller speak?

Having lived in Tucson for over 30 years I am a Wildcat fan. I am a big believer in UA athletics and understand that in this country you are innocent until proven guilty. Is this damage control that coach Sean Miller has not said a word yet or is this a waiting game to see when the next shoe will drop?

I have always been proud of the university for how they handle things in a professional manner but it seems a little odd that Miller has not said anything. This investigation will be far reaching and a lot of other schools will be named, unfortunately. As open as Miller's program has been I feel he just needs to step up and discuss this incident as best he can to let the fans know where the team is headed.

Frank Pizzi

East side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: UA program could use some integrity

My comments assume that coach Sean Miller will not lose his job. I think that a different model is in order for the program. Forget about the one-and-done phenoms and recruit with a view of bringing in players who are likely to stay for the full four years and who we can have confidence are young men with high levels of integrity. Without the five-star wonders we may end up winning, say, 18 to 22 games a year, occasionally more, and not be on par with the Washingtons, Oregons and UCLAs, but so be it. We would be proud of our program.

Glenn Kjos

East side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: UA fans deserve explanation from Miller

Despite how much it strains credulity, at this point we can keep the faith and assume coach Sean Miller was unaware of the illegal dealings in question. However, Miller is paid millions of dollars by a public university to maintain program integrity. The public and fans who have given so much support to his teams deserve an explanation sooner rather than later. The longer silence goes on the louder it speaks.

Steven Wellis

Northwest side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Coach's silence is golden

Ironically, Sean Miller's total silence tells us all more than we ever wanted to know.

Jim Reinertson

SaddleBrooke

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Sean Miller's culpability?

Given the extreme value placed on the performance of the UA basketball program, it is difficult to believe that coach Sean Miller was unaware of the activities of his assistant, Emmanuel Richardson. Perhaps he did not direct this activity but it's difficult to say he was not complicit to some degree.

As the head of the program, Miller has the responsibility for the actions of those who report to him. To deny that responsibility would be insulting.

Haven't seen a statement from Miller yet, that in itself may be tell-tale. What's there to say that doesn't indict the program to some degree? Taking the Fifth? It's unfortunate. I'm a fan. What do you have to say Sean?

Scott Lukomski

Northeast side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: How about Sean Miller speaking up?

Where has coach Sean Miller been? Notably, he is silent. I think we'd all like to hear from him. Is it possible he didn't know about this? Maybe, but let's hear that from him.

Arthur Balbirer

Foothills

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Richardson arrest and greed

Re: the Sept. 27 article "Arrest of UA assistant rocks hoops program."

It's sad to see this happen to college basketball and I'm also sad for coach Sean Miller. Greed prevails in our society — from politics to business to sports.

Walter Larsen

Eugene, Oregon

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Where was Sean Miller?

Re: the Sept. 27 column "FBI inquiry could mark beginning of dark days at McKale."

All college coaches are overpaid with our tax dollars — $235,000 for an assistant coach? Maybe he should be paid $70,000 and give the rest for cancer research. And if coach Sean Miller says he didn't know or wasn't aware of this he is a liar and should be let go without pay. This assistant has been with Miller for 11 years. The bottom line is that it is HIS program.

Rick Wampler

Oro Valley

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.