Post by TomahawkChop10 on Apr 4, 2012 18:14:50 GMT -5
"Tubby Smith Makes Odd Request in Contract Extension"
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Coming off a runner-up finish in the National Invitation Tournament, University of Minnesota men's head basketball coach Orlando "Tubby" Smith is seeking a contract extension. And while the yearly salary and the length of the extension are yet to be determined, there appears to be one unusual request in the contract negotiations that Smith refuses to back down from.
It should be noted that Smith has always considered himself one of the true innovators of the collegiate game. Now he has developed a concept that he says has never been attempted.
"This idea came to me during a home game against Iowa this year," Smith stated. And although the scoreboard may have indicated a loss that night, Smith scored an idea that he calls "a big win."
It is well-known amongst college basketball fans that the home of the Golden Gophers, Williams Arena, is one of the few home venues that features an elevated court. However, where the average fan sees merely a basketball court, Smith now sees an opportunity.
Smith remembered, "I went straight to our Athletics Director Joel Maturi after the game and said, 'Joel, what's under that floor?' And do you know what he told me," Smith continued, "he said there is nothing under the floor! Can you believe that?"
According to language that Smith insists on placing in his contract extension, he is adamantly requesting that a 140,000 gallon aquarium be placed under the court, fully stocked with marine life such as catfish, perch, bluegill, and both large and small mouth bass.
"I mean, hell, I'm already sitting there on a stool, right?" Smith excitedly asked reporters. "OK. So all I'd have to do is cut a hole in the floor and drop my line in. Simple!"
When asked if it would distract him from the game, Smith became defensive. "Have you ever been fishing? It's not exactly hard work. I could obviously continue to coach my team while I'm fishing. During a timeout, the managers can pull the chairs onto the court and the team can just gather around me. It's perfect. And frankly, I'm not paying that much attention to start with."
One reporter sarcastically asked, "What if you get a bite?" Smith scoffed and said, "Then I'll reel it in, dumbass." Smith did express one concern when he paused and wondered, "Course, there would be a hole in the floor. I'd hate for a kid to step in it. Then again, he may pull a little fishy outta there on his big toe!" Smith slapped his knee and laughed while media members stared on, confused.
Maturi says that while the aquarium makes little sense and would impose a large financial cost on the University, he admits it is actually under consideration. "We may run a marine biology class in the gym or something too, I don't know... God, this sounds like a bad idea. We'll probably do it."
Comments to Jacque Strap can be received at (859) 555-7086 or e-mailed to j.strap@yahoo.com
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Coming off a runner-up finish in the National Invitation Tournament, University of Minnesota men's head basketball coach Orlando "Tubby" Smith is seeking a contract extension. And while the yearly salary and the length of the extension are yet to be determined, there appears to be one unusual request in the contract negotiations that Smith refuses to back down from.
It should be noted that Smith has always considered himself one of the true innovators of the collegiate game. Now he has developed a concept that he says has never been attempted.
"This idea came to me during a home game against Iowa this year," Smith stated. And although the scoreboard may have indicated a loss that night, Smith scored an idea that he calls "a big win."
It is well-known amongst college basketball fans that the home of the Golden Gophers, Williams Arena, is one of the few home venues that features an elevated court. However, where the average fan sees merely a basketball court, Smith now sees an opportunity.
Smith remembered, "I went straight to our Athletics Director Joel Maturi after the game and said, 'Joel, what's under that floor?' And do you know what he told me," Smith continued, "he said there is nothing under the floor! Can you believe that?"
According to language that Smith insists on placing in his contract extension, he is adamantly requesting that a 140,000 gallon aquarium be placed under the court, fully stocked with marine life such as catfish, perch, bluegill, and both large and small mouth bass.
"I mean, hell, I'm already sitting there on a stool, right?" Smith excitedly asked reporters. "OK. So all I'd have to do is cut a hole in the floor and drop my line in. Simple!"
When asked if it would distract him from the game, Smith became defensive. "Have you ever been fishing? It's not exactly hard work. I could obviously continue to coach my team while I'm fishing. During a timeout, the managers can pull the chairs onto the court and the team can just gather around me. It's perfect. And frankly, I'm not paying that much attention to start with."
One reporter sarcastically asked, "What if you get a bite?" Smith scoffed and said, "Then I'll reel it in, dumbass." Smith did express one concern when he paused and wondered, "Course, there would be a hole in the floor. I'd hate for a kid to step in it. Then again, he may pull a little fishy outta there on his big toe!" Smith slapped his knee and laughed while media members stared on, confused.
Maturi says that while the aquarium makes little sense and would impose a large financial cost on the University, he admits it is actually under consideration. "We may run a marine biology class in the gym or something too, I don't know... God, this sounds like a bad idea. We'll probably do it."
Comments to Jacque Strap can be received at (859) 555-7086 or e-mailed to j.strap@yahoo.com
