ESPN’s Dick Vitale and broadcaster Tim Brando expressed repugnance with Louisiana State University’s (LSU) proposed decision to rename their basketball court.
Vitale called the move “absurd,” attributing it to “ugly politics,” while Brando picked up the baton and passionately criticized the decision, calling out the state and urging influential figures to step in.
Tim Brando via Crain & Company YouTube
The proposed decision to add Gunter’s name to that of legendary coach Dale Brown, who led the LSU men’s basketball program for 25 years, has enraged his supporters.
LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center has had its basketball floor named after Dale Brown for over a year.
Still, the LSU Board of Supervisors recently voted to add former women’s basketball coach Sue Gunter’s name to the floor.
Sue Gunter via LSU Women’s Basketball Facebook
On February 3rd, Vitale tweeted, “How ABSURD – in Louisiana, the Governor wants to change the name of the LSU basketball court that was named DALE BROWN COURT in a dedication ceremony about a year ago. This is wacky, Dale deserved the honor & it finally was affirmed & now UGLY POLITICS is involved.”
Dick Vitale Twitter
Brando reacted to the decision telling Crain & Company, “He’s a guy that in the history of LSU basketball has won more games than anybody. He beat Kentucky 18 times, more than any coach ever beat Kentucky in the SEC and beyond. He won 448 games, he went to two Elite-eights, two final-fours, 13 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, and at one point was the national coach of the year in 1981 with a team that won 31 games.”
“Now, this had never happened at LSU, consistently sustained success in its history. Then, when Maravich’s father was fired, Dale came in and turned the program up to another notch. And made it nationally significant from really 1978 all the way through ’93, and of course, those years included some outstanding players,” Brando stated.
“And he graduated 114 of his 160 kids. So, his record certainly stands up with just about anybody else’s that has their name on the floor, that were iconic figures at their schools,” he declared.
Dale Brown, former college basketball coach, is greeted by Airmen from the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., September 8, 2015. Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Justin T. Armstrong, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Crain added, “Sue Gunter never won a national championship, never won the SEC, never went to the final four. She was huge in LSU women’s basketball, which is now rocking and rolling.”
“She’s a great coach, but my question Timmy B is so basically, the crux of this thing is you have this legend in Dale Brown to which you dedicate the name of the court,” Brando stated. “As you said, you have a dedication in 2022 on January 4th, where everybody’s there. And it is Dale Brown court. Fast forward to 2023, and now they want to call it Sue Gunter and Dale Brown Court. They want to add Sue Gunter’s name to Dale Brown Court when Sue Gunter already has a statue outside of the Arena.”
Crain & Tim Brando, “How Dare LSU Do This!”
“How dare Louisiana and LSU do this to them,” Brando exclaimed on Crain & Company. “And this is so typical of my state. Listen, I have great pride, as you know, in where I’m from. I love Louisiana… I’m pissed off, and it’s time other people get pissed off. Shaq, I’ve texted you, where are you? Make the calls, do it now. We have other people in power who could do something about this and stop it.”
Brando also alluded to board member Mary Werner who represents the 3rd Congressional District, using her capital to influence the decision, saying, “Mary ‘Me Too’ Werner will continue to go after this because she knows she’s got a political end with her cheese.
Adding, “Her father passed away. He’s worth billions. They were great donors to LSU for many years, and she’s using that hook on the Governor.”
As noted by Brando, from 1972-1997, Brown led the program, winning 448 games, four SEC Championships, and making 13 NCAA Tournaments.
Brown’s leadership brought the program to new heights, with appearances in the Final Four in 1981 and 1986 and coaching some of the most recognizable names in LSU’s basketball history, including Shaquille O’Neal, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, and Stanley Roberts in the early 1990s.
Brown’s 448 victories make him the third-winningest coach in SEC history, behind only Adolph Rupp and Billy Donovan.
Dale and Shaq on SEC Storied via Boys From The Boot YouTube
Despite not winning a national championship, Brown’s humanitarianism was frequently cited by his respective supporters.
In addition, because of his impact on basketball, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Dale Brown Inducted into LSU Athletics Hall of Fame via LSU Tiger TV YouTube
The process for naming a playing surface at LSU required the proposal to pass three steps, which were detailed in the LSU Hall of Fame selection committee constitution and bylaws, last revised in July 2022.
These steps included obtaining unanimous support from the Hall of Fame committee via a vote cast by secret ballot, followed by consideration from the LSU athletic council and board of supervisors.
LSU’s Board of Supervisors Meeting 2/10/2023 via LSU Board of Supervisors YouTube
Before the recent vote, a proposal to add Brown and Gunter’s names to the floor was rejected by a 12-3 vote. Since then, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and LSU President William F. Tate have been lobbying for the addition of Gunter’s name.
The proposal to add Gunter’s name passed through the board’s academic committee with a 6-2 vote. The board approved the proposal with only Jay Blossman dissenting, citing improper procedure.
Jay Blossman via WNTZ-TV
Many argue that Dale Brown’s legacy should have remained the sole honoree. It remains to be seen how the decision will impact LSU’s basketball program.
Still, it has certainly sparked a conversation about who should be recognized and how best to honor their achievements.
Glen Guilbeau Twitter
What do you think?