Should Sarkisian Show?
To show or not to show for the BYU quarterback reunion?
That’s the issue facing Washington coach Steve Sarkisian. Certainly he’s going to be there. His Huskies open the season Sept. 4 at LaVell Edwards Stadium. But he is also supposed to be part of a halftime ceremony honoring great BYU quarterbacks of the past. Some reports have said he’ll come out for the ceremony, providing the Huskies have the lead.
Interesting notes from Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times on the issue.
Wrote Condotta: “Prodded by a Tacoma-area reporter, Sarkisian also talked a little bit about his BYU days. He said he actually doesn’t remember the BYU fight song and hasn’t stepped foot in Provo since his college career ended. ‘I don’t remember the BYU fight song, to be honest with you. That was a long time ago. I don’t know.”’
Sarkisian went on to say the last time he was on BYU’s campus was “Probably my last day there. I haven’t been back on campus – haven’t been in the football office or to a game or anything. When I recently had gotten done playing, I went to Vegas and watched them play in a WAC championship game. That was the only time I’ve seen them play, and I haven’t been back there – haven’t had a chance to and/or a reason to.”
Condotta added: Asked by reporters about being booed, he (Sarkisian) told reporters, “They’ve booed me before in that stadium. I’m not that concerned about it.”
That’s pretty funny.
Anyway, it’s interesting the spot Sarkisian is in. He has expressed gratitude for having played for the Cougars, but does he really want to be chumming with the opposition during a game? Waving to its fans?
Stopping for a TV interview on the way to the locker room is one thing, but waving to the crowd of the enemy on game day is something else. I give him high marks for agreeing to appear in the ceremony in any capacity. I’m hoping to see him at halftime, but wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t.
The situation isn’t unprecedented. Ex-Ute coach Ron McBride was coaching Weber State when it played a 2008 game at the University of Utah. McBride appeared for a pregame ceremony to honor him.
Do you think Sarkisian should be part of the ceremony, no matter what?