My two cents: Crow calls shots at Arizona State
Friday’s welcome-to-ASU press conference for Sun Devils basketball coach Bobby Hurley was captivating if for no other reason than Arizona State president Michael Crow insisted on anchoring the proceedings.
In a rambling preamble, Crow lectured those who question the worthy mission of college sports and complimented himself for the hiring of (and dismissal of) the school’s wrestling coach, of all things.
There’s no doubt who runs the show at ASU. It’s Michael Crow.
When Hurley was asked an obligatory question about the rivalry with Arizona, Crow jokingly identified Star reporter Zack Rosenblatt as being from Tucson. It was harmless and fun, but decidedly un-presidential.
If Crow’s hands-on approach leads to a better rivalry, if ASU’s recent firing of wrestling, baseball, basketball and swimming coaches ultimately forces Arizona to keep pace, I’m all for it.
But I think UA president Ann Weaver Hart has a better approach. Her support, interest and presence is known — she sits in the front row at McKale Center basketball games — but deferring to your athletic director is preferable to chumming up to a live microphone.
