TAKE ONE : Appeal decision closes ugly UA-Richardson episode
Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006
In some ways, it ended like it began. There was no news conference and no fanfare. Just some paper with words on it and a decision. Four years ago in the media room at Bud Walton Arena rested a stack of press releases, announcing that the University of Arkansas had just fired its famous basketball coach Nolan Richardson, who led the Razorbacks to a national championship and three Final Fours in his 17-year tenure. It was March 1, 2002.
Flash forward to Friday, and in a 28-page document filled with legal terms and annotations the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis dismissed Richardson’s claims that he was a victim of racial discrimination when he was terminated.
After 1,547 days, one of the most painful and sad episodes in the history of Arkansas athletics appears to be over. Unless Richardson appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, the case has been closed.
But while the university won, it scored a Pyrrhic victory. Not much good came out of the last four years, and that is true for both sides.
When Richardson’s law- suit was first tried in U.S. District Court in Little Rock two years ago, there was a circus-like atmosphere in the courtroom with several major personalities testifying. Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles and Richardson were exposed as having big egos while the public found out that several UA officials admitted using a racial epithet in conversation.
Amidst all the distractions created by these side stories, Richardson’s attorney John Walker was trying to drive home the point that his client was fired after a news conference Feb. 25, 2002, during which the former coach spoke out against the university.
Walker claimed Richardson’s free-speech rights had been infringed. But U.S. District Judge Bill Wilson Jr. sided with the UA, whose lawyers said it made the decision to fire Richardson the day before he delivered his diatribe that was aired repeatedly on national networks like ESPN.
As Richardson pressed his case and appealed the U.S. District Court’s decision, he lost much of the state’s remaining goodwill that had eroded rapidly after that angry outburst four years ago.
In Fayetteville, where he currently lives, Richardson has isolated himself. He is rarely seen in public and has not set foot in Bud Walton Arena since he was fired.
The 10-year anniversary of Arkansas’ 1994 national championship in basketball passed without so much as a celebration.
For a figure that was once revered by Arkansas fans, it’s unfortunate what has happened to Richardson. He was, after all, the best basketball coach the Razorbacks have ever had and he was an asset to the university.
There is hope that with Wilson’s decision having been upheld, UA officials and Richardson can bury the hatchet.
The past doesn’t necessarily have to dictate the future, and there is no better time than now to open a new chapter. The end of this story doesn’t have to be written in legalese. And it certainly could have a happier ending.
Rainer Sabin is a sports writer for the Northwest Arkansas Times.
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