UC in desperate need of image change

I can't believe I am saying this, but Bob Huggins needs to leave the University of Cincinnati for his sake and the University.

After 16 years of conference dominance and making the Bearcats a national powerhouse, the program has gotten out of hand. Graduation rates for the men's team are low, the program is known for producing "convicts" and now the coaches have been in deep trouble. I don't like this decision any more than any other fan of the basketball program at UC, but something must be done.

Think about this past year. Huggins has been charged with a DUI. Huggins' assistant Keith Legree also was hit with a DUI. And just last week Roy Bright was dismissed from the team after being caught with a gun on campus. That's not even it, remember Donald Little? He was dismissed from the team for kidnapping and assault charges on another student. The list goes on. Dontonio Wingfield was arrested for assault against police officers, D'Juan Baker was arrested for felonious assault and Art Long was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend.

Jeffrey Shelman, of the Cincinnati Post, recently wrote in an article about Huggins' contract situation, "UC basketball coach Bob Huggins declined to comment on this story for the Post. Critics say the arrests reflect upon the UC program." Huggins won't talk about the problems the basketball team has faced, and our program looks like a prison cell for athletes.

Though Huggins has brought UC back to prominence, at what point do we the fans say, "Enough is enough; we don't want a tainted basketball team?"

In the 16 years while UC was winning, players left early only to fail at the pro level and the Bearcats have only been to one final four. Our program under Huggins is lacking morals, decency and a championship. It is time to move on.

Believe me, I know what Huggins has done for our university. For 20 years the Bearcats were the laughing stock of men's college basketball and letting Huggins go right now could leave the team in shambles for a few years. But wouldn't it be smart to rebuild the entire program under a fresh face?

A new start would be the right idea. Sure we would have a few bad years, but Cincy fans are rarely satisfied with the programs' performance anyway, especially come tourney time. The UC men's basketball team is a wreck mired in negativity and lawlessness, and this has to change if it is to be considered an elite university.

You don't hear reports of Duke or North Carolina players getting into trouble, or even Louisville or Syracuse.

It's because these programs don't put up with immoral behavior the way our Athletic Department does and it starts with the top. Huggins is the coach and all of this activity starts with him.

Winning isn't worth a bad reputation for faculty and students here at this campus.

When people hear "UC" they think "convict." Why else would our Crosstown shootout be dubbed "Convicts vs. Catholics?" Because that is what we represent.

The coaching change was made on the football team when Rick Minter was fired, and it should be made on the basketball team as well. Huggins has done a good job, but to change the negative reputation that the basketball team has placed on itself, Huggins must be let go.