To the editor:
Now that the spectacular Kansas University team of 2007-2008 has won a championship, isn't it time for the city of Lawrence to invite Roy Williams back formally? Seeing him in the stands at the championship game wearing a KU sticker showed how much he still cares about the university and his time here.
Coach Williams very reluctantly left five years ago for extremely important reasons, many of them family related. Wouldn't most of us have done the same? He wanted to win a national championship as much as anyone else here, and almost did. Let's welcome him back.
Brad Buecker,
Lawrence
Comments
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tce73 (anonymous) says…
While I thought it was a nice gesture by Roy to wear the sticker and support the Jayhawks, I dont think we need to "formally" invite him back. Lets not make it that big of a deal. He is welcome to come back whenever he likes - some may react positively to that, some may not. An official "Welcome back, Roy" seems a bit over the top.
nverlost (anonymous) says…
tce73 - You said it perfecty.
KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says…
Roy sat in the KU section because he wanted to. Anybody was able to sit there. It's not that big of deal.As for "inviting" him back to Lawrence the guy can come back any time he wants. If the author feels some formal hoopla should occur then get a life. It won't happen until he retires, at the earliest.
KS (anonymous) says…
Why would the City of Lawrence invite him back? I would think that is a decision for KU. BTW, it is interesting to note that KU has now excelled in both football and basketball and Lew and company didn't hire any of them. Lew does have an opportunity to keep them now and we will soon see just how cheap he is, unless the money is going into his own pocket.
Haiku_Cuckoo (anonymous) says…
Lew does have an opportunity to keep them now and we will soon see just how cheap he is===========I wouldn't want Lew to match the rumored Oklahoma offer of $46 million ($6 million sign-on bonus and $4 million for ten years). That's just crazy. If that's how much it takes to keep Bill Self, I'd let him go and make Danny the head coach.
Jcjayhawk1 (anonymous) says…
Lew didn't hire either of them but don't be so naive to think that he has had little or no impact. The guy was an awesome AD for UConn. His record speaks for it's self. Both Mangino and Self have excellent relationships with him and have gone on record saying so and much more. Lew has had a major hand in getting funding for the football program (the true money maker at this university)
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
It's time to forgive Roy for taking an offer everyone of us would have taken. He could not have turned the offer down and missed the elusive National Championship Win that was not to be his here as head KU coach.I have no hard feelings and no one else should either. Remember he was rooting for KU to win. His appearance was an asking for forgiveness. I accept, won't you?
lily (anonymous) says…
It's not anybody's place, KU or otherwise, to invite Roy to Lawrence on an official basis. Good grief. It's a free country. He can come back to visit friends, etc anytime he pleases. Anyone who would make the man feel unwelcome should pack up and move. He's not a god so inviting him like he is seems silly. I'm glad he showed his support to KU. I never wished the man ill, I just wanted our boys to kick his backside in the game and they did. Nuff said.
KS (anonymous) says…
I have no problem with Roy coming back to visit. I just don't think that good ole Lew walks on water like some apparently believe he does. I don't like the way the programs have acted with the Lawrence community. No parade for the Orange Bowl champions and a parade for the National Basketball champions apparently came after embarassment to the KU Athletic Department. Roy had a right to go home and I am okay with it. I just don't like the way he did it. He told us he would retire at KU and then the very next season he was honoring Norm Stewart at half time, retiring jerseys of some good players, but there have been many great players in the history of KU basketball that are deserving too. He knew a year before he left that he was going. That is the part that bothered me. I felt he betrayed us. I am also forgiving. He was a great coach for KU and added a lot to the program. BTW, I doubt seriously that OSU is going to offer Self any $46 million. That's pretty dumb and a waste of money. No guarantees that Self can get a national champion for even that kind of money.
frankiej65 (anonymous) says…
I have been a Jayhawk all of my life and an alum for 20 years... I too was angry with Roy when he left... but I have always thought that being a Jayhawk meant having class... to continue to harbor resentment after 5 years is not class. Roy gave us 15 awesome years of basketball and I will never forget that.... so he's gone... we have a new coach who is awesome in his own right and has given us a national championship.... what more do you people want? If it's vengence... I think we got that last saturday... God help you all if the world turns on you the next time you change your mind and put the interest of yourself and your family before a bunch of people you don't even know.... Although it may still be too soon.... I think it would be great to see Roy walk out onto the floor during Late Night sometime... much the way Larry did back in '03!.... This is KANSAS... and there's no place like it.... If you all continue to wine about Roy... then we will no longer be able to say that!Get over it!Come on back Roy... you are welcome anytime!
thebcman (anonymous) says…
No way. Seeing the traitor wearing our colors made me want to engage in some marathon projectile vomiting.
frankiej65 (anonymous) says…
Must suck to carry so much bitterness with you everyday!.... I feel bad for those in your life.... glad I'm not one of them!!
Lynn731 (anonymous) says…
Leave the arrogant son of a b***h where he is. I don't ever want to see another telephone book with his photo on the cover. Good Riddance. Thank you, Lynn
nverlost (anonymous) says…
Still hard to forget the interview he gave on ESPN 4 hours after he bolted from Lawrence on a jet plane giving the "Gee whiz, the NCAA should change their rules and let new recruites follow their coach" speech. That showed a lot about his character. He is a methodical businessman plain and simple. Bill Self is in it for more than that I can assure you and for that I am glad that he is happy to be a Jayhawk. Yep, maybe still a little bitter on the Roy thing.
nverlost (anonymous) says…
Still hard to forget the interview he gave on ESPN 4 hours after he bolted from Lawrence on a jet plane giving the "Gee whiz, the NCAA should change their rules and let new recruites follow their coach" speech. That showed a lot about his character. He is a methodical businessman plain and simple. Bill Self is in it for more than that I can assure you and for that I am glad that he is happy to be a Jayhawk. Yep, maybe still a little bitter on the Roy thing.