To the editor:

During his tenure at Kansas University, Roy Williams spoke about the value of character and loyalty and about being a man of his word. As a native Kansan and KU alumnus, I believed and admired these traits, especially in a public figure. However, after watching Williams announce his decision Monday evening to leave KU for the University of North Carolina, I now understand his antics for what they really were: convenient lip service meant to satiate the Jayhawk faithful.

Had Williams left for the UNC position three years ago, I would have been disappointed about his departure but not upset about his choice to return home. Who doesn’t want to work close to home? Who doesn’t want to live near family and friends? Yet Williams said loyalty to his players was the reason for his decision to remain in Lawrence in 2000. He made further comments that he would no longer consider other coaching jobs and planned on retiring at KU.

How has his loyalty to his players changed from three years ago? What about his promise to KU students, faculty, alumni and fans as well as the “Kansas basketball family” to retire as a Jayhawk? By his hypocritical actions, Williams has tarnished his legacy at Kansas. It was obvious to me after watching his press conference from Chapel Hill that the whole time in Lawrence that he preached character, loyalty and honesty, Williams was really speaking about his feelings for UNC. Roy, I just wish you had been honest with us the first time this decision came around.

James Plesser,

St. Paul, Minn.