To the editor:
I am surprised as anyone by my mixing sports and a biblical reference in this letter. However, the request from the Kansas University athletic department for reimbursement for their losses from a canceled basketball banquet sparked the comparison.
I recalled early reports quoting Jim Marchiony that KU had plans that did not include a parade. Now we know that those plans were for select donors, not all the fans and businesses that support KU sports throughout the season and through snubs from the athletic department.
The story of the widow's mite (Mark 12:41-44) came to mind. Jesus observes the poor widow who gives less to the church than the wealthy patrons and explains that her donation is more valuable as she gave all she could while the wealthy gave only their surplus.
It is an exaggerated analogy, but the request from KU Athletics illustrates their exaggerated emphasis on finances that has created a blind spot to the investments already made by the Lawrence community.
Gayle Sigurdson,
Lawrence
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says…
The fact is this banquet has been held before. This is not the first year for it. Invitations go to WEF members then the general public after that. I understand KUAC did not refund the tickets to those who purchased for this year and it was sold out. What the $6400 is for is a good question. Is that the amount after the 300 plus people who purchased tickets or is the amount the total cost for the production?
dumas (anonymous) says…
The $6,400 was probably to cover booze.
onrywmn (Ginny Hedges) says…
Yet they can afford $55 million to upgrade the sports facilities?? I don't get it.
mtoumi (anonymous) says…
I wonder where Jim Marchiony and other people making decisions in KU athletics are even from? I'm a native Kansan and I love parades. I'm a little nerdy like that! Maybe the 1988 parade is why I love them - because that was spectacular! It's as though these guys are not just out of touch, but out of this world. Nothing personal to Jim, but really. We love parades around here.
bearded_gnome (anonymous) says…
with all the megabux that rattle around KUAC, and they're tapping downtown lawrence and the chanber for chumpchange...that is chump change for them? and this after they moved the ku/mu game over to kcmo? and, they really should have known from the start that a parade was in order!
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
So, what she's saying is that KU is going against the Bible by asking to be paid back for a cancellation caused by the city? Pathic drool..
Gina (Gina Bailey-Carbaugh) says…
Confrontation, that is not what she said at all. She was making a comparison. It was a bit of a stretch. But still a comparison. KU could have picked another day for the parade. But it got more press and made them look good to "open" the awards banquet to the fans. I love the jayhawk players, but the administartion is out of line.