I'M TIRED OF THE LIES!

Posted at: 11/04/2009 7:08 PM
By: J.P. Murrieta

Let me get this off my chest.  I'M SICK OF THE LIES!

Like many of you, this situation involving a physical altercation between UNM football head coach Mike Locksley and former assistant J.B. Gerald is giving me a headache!

Wednesday the school held a press conference to explain their investigation of the incident.  Here's what we found out.  The athletics department acted too quickly during their first investigation of the incident.  Shannon Garbiso, an HR department representative, conducted the first investigation.  We discovered on Wednesday her notes were not direct quotes but rather "recollections" and "paraphrasing". 

Media outlets asked for copies of notes from the interviews of coaches who were present during the altercation.  UNM said they did not exist.  During Wednesday's press conference, the school admitted they destroyed original documents that included statements from witnesses and apologized to the media.  Wednesday, University officials claim there was no cover up.  You lied then, UNM.  Why should we believe you now?  How can the school claim there was no attempt at a cover up when they later admit documents were destroyed?

The day after the physical altercation between Locksley and Gerald the head coach did interviews with a big scar on his face.  When asked about it Locksley claimed he got it from his dog.  I'M SICK OF THE LIES!

As a journalist, I'll report what you're saying UNM.  Personally, I don't buy it.  Here's my interpretation.  I think there was a physical altercation (choke, punch, call it what you want).  I think UNM wanted to do their best to keep the situation quiet.  I think they lied in the process.  I think UNM bungled their investigation.  I think the athletic department dropped the ball by not suspending Locksley initially (instead of that "verbal reprimand").  To me, UNM's credibility took a big hit.  Again, you lied on different occasions, why should we (the public) believe what you say in the future?

University President David Schmidly said, "Coach Locksley should be afforded the opportunity to redeem himself".  That's one of the few things you said where I agree with you.  Whether or not he DOES redeem himself has yet to be determined.  Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs added, "We've got a lot of work to do to restore faith and trust in our fan base."  I guess that's two things you've said, UNM,  that I agree with.

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