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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2001)
Reactions continued from page 1 for the good of the program,” he said. “She moved on because she re ally cares about the players and she cares about the program.” Senior fine arts major Jeff Anderson questioned whether the equality be tween Runge and the players should have been an issue during the dispute that became public in early March. “My view is [Rungej did her job — she took the players to the play offs [eight] years in a row,” Ander son said. “It’s ridiculous for them to be complaining about their coach. They should just shut up and play.” Anderson said he was sorry to see Runge go, and that Runge, who has been coaching at the University since 1993, has left “pretty big shoes to fill. ” “I think she was a great coach,” Anderson said. Many other students said they were surprised by the news, but that they still did not fully understand the situation. “It seems like she was making some good moves,” freshman busi ness major Jon DeAsis said. "I was shocked. I didn’t expect it.” Hilary Arakaki, a junior psycholo gy and exercise and movement sci ence major, said it seemed the Athlet ic Department took into consideration both the players’ feelings and Runge’s contribution to the program when dealing with the issue. Junior computer and informa tion science major Jeff Wong said he did not know much about the Runge situation, but he added that it is typical for coaches to lose their positions after a disappointing sea son. The Ducks lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this season. Lisa Gardner, a 1996 University graduate who has held a basketball season ticket for the past eight years, said it is hard to say whether Runge made the right decision by resign ing. Gardner, who is the capital grants administrator for Lane Tran sit District, said the public may nev er know all the information sur rounding the situation. “I’m sorry to see her resign, be cause I respect her ability to stand tall and maintain her conviction that she was in charge of her basket ball program,” she said. “And by the standard measuring stick, she deliv ered what she was hired to deliver — wins and ticket sales.” Runge continued from page 1 met with Moos and criticized Runge’s coaching methods and communication skills. One week after the team ended its season March 27 with a loss to Iowa in the NCAA Tournament’s first round, Moos hired the Kansas City based law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King, which is nationally recognized for investigating troubled collegiate programs. Moos said at the time that the move was to provide an “objec tive analysis” of the Ducks’ women’s basketball program. Moos received the firm’s 30-page report Wednesday and said it re vealed no major NCAA violations. There have been several requests to make the report public, but Univer sity officials have not decided whether the report will be released. “Those eight players were not go ing to determine the fate of Jody Runge,” Moos said. “There were other legitimate concerns. That was only one component of my con VOLUNTEERS' NEEDED!!! THE UO CULTURAL FORUM PRESENTS: THE 31ST ANNUAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY FOLK FESTIVAL The Cultural Forum is currently seeking a volunteer crew for the event to be held May 18-20. cd Interested volunteers call John Bartlang @ 3460633. or drop in the Cultural ^ Forum office (2 F.MU) for details to apply. cems that needed to be addressed. One begins to become concerned when you see a pattern, and in some regards that may have been the case here.” Runge and her attorney, Rohn Roberts, reviewed the report last week and were scheduled to meet with Moos Friday, but the meeting never took place, Moos said. “The events of the last six weeks have led me to the conclusion that it is in the best interest of the program to resign at this time,” Runge said in a released statement. “I regret that I will not be able to coach the fine group of women who will enter our program this fall. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the community, and I wish the team well next season.” In her eight years at the University, Runge, 38, compiled a 160-73 record while leading the Ducks to eight straight NCAA Tournament appear ances and two Pacific-10 Conference titles. Her .687 winning percentage was the best of any basketball coach— man or woman—in school history. But Runge’s coaching style often SOUCA/y SPAGHETTI A garlic bread 25 *3 Every Tuesday PIZZA PETE’S 2506 Willakenzie 341-0998 2673 Willamette 484-0996 America’s Leader in Student Travel New Yovk to London —fttO Portland to London —fH^C Portland to Paris —fQlZ Portland to Amsterdam -fQ^O Fares are ROUND TRIP'and subject to change. Taxes are extra and restrictions apply. 877 >2 East 13th Street 344-2263 c o u n c.i 11 r a v e I .com conflicted with players’ personali ties. In the wake of the investigation, several former players have stepped forward and accused Runge of emo tional hardship, including a 1996 incident in which a player was kicked off the team and had to seek psychological counseling. “It wasn’t really her as a coach; there were other things that also led to this,” guard Shaquala Williams, who will be a junior next season, said after the press conference. Runge had two years remaining on a contract that paid her about $140,000 in base salary per year, but Moos said a buyout agreement was reached in exchange for Runge not filing a lawsuit against the Universi ty. Moos would not disclose the de tails of the settlement. “I’m just glad it’s over with,” guard Jamie Craighead, who will be a senior next season, said. “I wish [Rungel the best of luck, but I think this is a really good situation for our program.” University Vice President Dan Williams was also present for the an nouncement and said he and Univer sity President Dave Frohnmayer are Tom Patterson Emerald Athletic Director Bill Moos announces Jody Runge’s resignation in a Casanova Center conference room packed with members of the media. satisfied with the outcome. “I want everyone to understand that the president and I are very fa miliar with the circumstances sur rounding this event,” Williams said. “And we wanted to make sure that everybody who has an interest in this issue understands that the pres ident and 1 are very supportive of the resolution and the actions that Bill has taken.” Moos said the'search for Runge’s replacement has already started, and he said he told the current as sistant coaches — Fred Litzenberg er, Kirsten McKnight and Dan Mus catell — that they could apply for the position. One of the assistants will be named the interim coach un til the vacancy is filled. “I’m hoping that the players, my staff and the community will support the future of women’s basketball at the University of Oregon,” Moos said. “We don’t know now who’s going to be leading that program, but it’s going to be a qualified, talented head coach. This is a very appealing position. ” 2001 UO Summer & Session Duck Gal/Duck Web Starts May! BookYour Summer in Oregon Summer session starts June 25. Pick up your free summer catalog today in the Summer Session office, 333 Oregon Hall, or at the UO Bookstore. You can speed your way toward graduation by taking required courses during summer. University of Oregon Summer Session http://uosummer.uoregon.edu/
