Feb. 19, 2003

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From Robert J. Christiano, Santa Barbara, California Question: did you submit a complaint to the ncaa about 'the call' in the fiesta bowl?

Answer: No we didn't file any complaint. Frankly, there is no appeal from judgments of this kind. I believe the count of public opinion went about as far is it could.

Paul Dee

From Lawrence J Pius, Deerfield Beach FL Dear Sir:
Now that the dust has settled over the 2002-3 college football season and tempers have cooled, I believe that it is time to consider the following:

When the IOC was faced with their crisis of credibility last winter, an issue that affected the core value of their sport and the very credibility of their method of selecting champions, they displayed incredible courage in totally breaking with historical precedent and choosing to review the egregious incident. They actually modify the errant judgment that cost the real champions of the pairs skating competition their gold medal and boldly awarded co-championships to both teams.

I wonder if the NCAA is capable of showing the same courage? The 2003 Fiesta bowl ended in a way that calls into question the very credibility of selecting championships in college football. A completely errant pass interference call against UM prevented the game from ending in their favor on the play in question as it rightfully should have. That call was so egregious in it's inappropriateness and the circumstances surrounding it so suspicious in their nature that the entire incident begs for a full and complete investigation, an official reversal of the penalty call and the awarding of co-championships With that one incident, the UM athletic program was wrongly cheated out of one of the greatest legacies in the history of college football. The magnitude of these circumstances and the clearly inappropriate nature of the penalty call itself should encourage you to want to do the right thing for the sake of the sport and restore the credibility of the championship title i! tself.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Lawrence J. Pius

Answer: I'm afraid there is no further justice in this matter. What is done is, unfortunately, done. Thank you for your concern.

Paul Dee

From Carlos Rodriguez, Miami : Dear Paul,

I am a Canes fan since I was a boy. I love the atmosphere of the Orange Bowl. I always manage to go to 3-4 games a year. I know you have tried to answer this question before, but how soon can we see improvements to the stadium to guarantee it's future as the home of hurricane football.

Go Canes!!!!

Answer: We're working on the project now. Improvements will be down the road. Thanks for writing.

Paul Dee

From David Ellman, Livingston, NJ: In deciding strength of schedule for the BCS, Doesn't it seem that the tentative Miami Schedule in 2004 seems to be pretty weak. Louisiana Tech and Missouri ?

Answer: We schedule the best available teams that will schedule us. I believe our schedule is truly competitive.

Paul

From Kara M. Pietrantonio, Palm Bay, FL Question : Dear Mr. Dee,

I'm sure you get a great deal of email, and I suspect that quite a bit of it doesn't get read; however, I hope you can find it in your schedule to indulge me.

I am an avid Miami Hurricans fan. I have been for quite a few years now, so I understand that my opinions might seem biased. Having just watched the Miami/Ohio State National Championship game, I would like to express my disgust at the refereeing job done during the game.

I'm well aware of the fact that football is a violent contact sport. However, there is no excuse for the level of unsportsmanlike conduct that went on during this game. There was absolutely no reason for the Ohio State players to aim for the knees, trying to take out the Miami players who posed an obvious risk (Willis McGahee, Kellen Winslow, Ken Dorsey). And just as there was no excuse for this level of dirty play, there is no excuse for the fact that no referee took notice of it.

As of right now, no official word has been released regarding Willis McGahee's knee injury. Hopefully his football career will not have been ended by a desperate Buckeye willing to sink to such a despicable level. He did nothing to deserve that injury, and it could have been avoided. It was only too clear to those of us watching the game on TV that Kellen Winslow's ankle was being intentionally twisted by an Ohio player. Go back and watch the tape. It's blatant, and it's dirty.

The call that decided the game and took the wind out of Miami's sails, however, was the bogus pass interference call at the end of the first overtime. First of all, it wasn't pass interference, and second of all, the referee that was standing nearest the players had called the pass incomplete. He had a much better vantage point than the referee who made the call.

If Miami had gone onto the field and played poorly, I would understand and grudgingly accept a loss. It would be hard to swallow, but I could have dealt with it. It's only football, after all. But when players play dirty and referees make bad calls that decide national championships, there is a definite problem.

I call for an investigation. Something needs to be done about this, and it needs to be done now.

Ohio State may have the trophy, but they did not play like national champs. They played like an dirty team who was outmatched and outclassed, and couldn't win the game on their own steam.

Something was rotten in Tempe, and until the matter is investigated, it will continue.

Thank you, Kara Pietrantonio

AnswerThank you for writing. I have strong feelings too, but some things are not revisitable.

Happy New Year, Paul Dee

From: Ryan D. Madanick, Coconut Grove, FL Question : Paul:

I am wondering if the official University of Miami media guide will reflect the accurate score of the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, UM 24 to OSU 17, OT? If you would like to check on certain other "real" scores, you can check the Stanford University media guide from 1982, which lists the final score 20-19. Congratulations on the sixth national championsh

AnswerThanks for your note. I wish we could!

Happy New Year, Paul Dee

From Scott Provin, Davie, Florida

Question : What steps are being taken to keep our Hurricane coaching staff together after this season? Thanks.

AnswerOur coaches know that we appreciate them and respect them. Personal growth as we have seen leads to opportunities, especially here. We want our coaches to remain of course, but know that they are often targets for other programs. Frankly, we're proud of that. We do, in the mean time, express our appreciation and thanks hoping coaches will stay with us.

Paul